Vegas chef brings starpower to benefit event
The message etched on the wine glasses -- "Buy Local" -- stated the premise behind Tuesday night's benefit dinner for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. The eight-course dinner, with wine pairings, was built around local produce, meat and fish -- from abalone and halibut, to cinnamon and vanilla beans grown on the Big Island.
Alessandro Stratta of the restaurant Alex in the Wynn Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, was the guest chef at the 10th annual "Roy and Friends" event, held at Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaii Kai restaurant.
Also headlining were local chefs Hiroshi Fukui, Eric LeTerc and Alan Wong.
Among their creations: LeTerc's Star Anise Braised Pork Belly with Fricasse of Hawaii's Garden Vegetables, pictured at right with Wong's Maui Cattle Co. Beef and Hamakua Mushrooms, plus a plate of Big Island Dairy Goat Cheese Mash.
