TheBuzz Erika Engle

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Hawaii has James Beard contenders this year, but not for food

Hawaii-based culinarians were passed over for the 2007 James Beard Foundation Awards this year, but some nominees are Hawaii-connected.

Two nominations reflect a foodie family of former KHNL news anchors -- and their children.

Vince Gerasole is nominated for a James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Award for a story he produced for WBBM-TV, Chicago.

His daughters Olivia and Isabella are up for their second James Beard Foundation Webcast Award -- going for a repeat of their win in 2006, the category's first year in the program.

The girls' mother, Vince's KHNL on-air partner Heidi Umbhau, is nominated as a producer, along with Gaylon Emerzian -- who was on the winning team last year.

The girls star in the cooking-for-kids Webcasts at Spatulatta.com, where Mom Heidi anchors a segment on Mom's Page.

The other Hawaii-connected James Beard nominee this year is Dale DeGroff.

The New York-based master mixologist is the director of beverage arts in-residence at Halekulani, where he has hosted numerous cocktailian seminars.

Winners will be announced May 6 and May 7.

Leaving Las Vegas

Radio hosts Michael W. Perry and Larry Price return from their 10th annual trip to Las Vegas today.

They will be back in their Iwilei studios tomorrow, according to Chuck Cotton, vice president and general manager of Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s Hawaii stations.

For 10 years, KSSK-FM 92.3/AM 590 and its advertising partners have given away Vegas vacations and hosted live broadcasts while there.

This year, 30 listeners and their guests joined Perry and Price at the California Hotel & Casino.

Contributions to the ninth island's economy might as well be made on somebody else's dime, if possible.