Courtesy of John Cadman
Haiku School cafeteria manager John Cadman
admires the students' crop of tomatoes, flowers,
bell peppers and corn.

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Students put heart
into Lahaina fest

By Catherine Kekoa Enomoto
Star-Bulletin

Kids serving up vegetarian goodies, a Heart Association honcho handing out tips and a hotel chef turned cafeteria manager star at the Maui County school district booth in this weekend's A Taste of Lahaina food festival.

The sixth annual festival unfolds 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with a kickoff gala at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets for the latter event are $85, while other days are free. Call 667-9194 for information, 667-9193 for gala tickets.

"We are definitely the cheapest booth," said John Cadman, cafeteria manager at Maui's Haiku School. "We are charging $1 for desserts and $2.50 for a trip to the salad bar.

"We will have as many kids there as possible," he said.

Cadman was sous chef at the Four Seasons Wailea before joining Haiku School's staff.

Look for veggie nachos, a fresh salad bar, apple crisp and Ultra Fruit Blast, a fruit juice/applesauce frozen dessert, at the Maui School District booth.

Here's Cadman's recipe for veggie nachos, a popular dish that cuts fat while increasing fiber and protein.

No-Meat Nacho Mixture

(By John Cadman, Haiku School cafeteria manager)

2 ounces TVP (texturized vegetable protein)
15-ounce can kidney beans (see note)
15-ounce can tomato puree
15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup minced onions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Salt, pepper and Tabaso, to taste

Run fresh, cool water over the TVP in a colander, stirring several times, until the TVP soaks up some liquid.

In a pot, place all ingredients. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 30 minutes.

To serve, pour mixture over baked tortilla chips, then pour cheese sauce over. Makes 12 servings.

Note: If desired, beans can be mashed at home in a blender, or by hand with a spoon.

Approximate nutritional analysis per 1/2-cup serving nacho mixture only, with no added salt: 70 calories, 0.5 gram total fat, no saturated fat, no cholesterol, 390 milligrams sodium.*