Da Kine Star-Bulletin staff and wire services

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LCC benefit dinner draws crowd of 500

L'ulu brought a crowd out to Oahu's west side Saturday for a dinner benefiting Leeward Community College's culinary program.

The party for 500 took place in the kitchen and on the lanais circling the college's renovated cooking facilities.

"We thought it was great for people to get to see the kitchen and where their support went," said Tommylynn Benavente, who heads LCC's culinary program.

Past benefits funded about 20 percent of the $6 million renovation project, Benavente said. That was when the event was called "Taste of the Stars," and it was held out on the LCC lawn

L'ulu -- the new name comes from the school's symbol, the breadfruit tree, or ulu, Frenchified with an L' -- brought the event to the kitchen and will be easier to sustain in future years, Benavente said.

Eleven prominent Oahu chefs served dishes created for the event, but Benavente said it was most gratifying to hear that many guests were particularly impressed by two dishes made by the students -- a Moroccan Spiced Lamb Chop and Miso-Cured Salmon Carpaccio.

Macrobiotic moments

May Vegan Macrobiotic Community Dinner: Chef Leslie Ashborn's menus for the month -- Carrot Ginger Soup, tempeh and collard greens on May 21; Lentil Soup with Land and Sea Veggies, Fresh Sassy Greens and Summery Kabocha Salad on May 30. Meals are $12, served 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Crossroads. Dessert with Kukicha Tea is $3.50 (Nostalgia Spiced Prune Cake on the 21st; Coconut Tapioca on the 30th). Call 398-2695, e-mail macrobiotichawaii@hotmail.com or visit www.macrobiotichawaii.bravehost.com.

A Whole Foods Approach to Health and Well-Being: Kathy Maddox, personal chef and macrobiotic cooking instructor, demonstrates picnic and summer dishes, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Green House, 224 Pakohana St. Cost is $25; registration required by tomorrow. Call 524-8427.

Special events

Joy of Sake: May's "Aftertaste" event offers samples of 36 premium sakes, 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, 2454 Beretania St. A talk will focus on how professional tasters judge sake based on aroma, taste, balance and overall impression. Cost is $37. Call 222-5591.

Ali'i Kula Lavender class: Lani Medina Weigert of Maui's Ali'i Kula Lavender will talk about the uses of lavender, 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, the Pacific Place Tea Garden, Ala Moana Center. Tastings of lavender-flavored Earl Grey and green sencha teas will be offered, as well as a Vanilla Velvet Cupcake with Maui Lavender. Free. Call 944-2004.