To bring the event to a close, here is the first-place winner in Taste of Honolulu's rib competition, sponsored by the Tony Roma's Famous for Ribs' restaurant chain.

The winner was Ruth Liu, president of International Specialties, a gourmet gift-basket company, for her ribs flavored with Scotch whiskey and li hing mui.

She won a trip for two to Maui. Second place and a $400 Weber gas grill donated by Eagle Hardware and Garden went to Robert Young, for a more traditional hoisin-based recipe. Other winners took home gift certificates to Tony Roma's.

Liu's winning recipe:

FINGER LI HING GOOD RIBS

1 pound spareribs
Li hing mui powder, for garnish

Marinade:
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup lemon juice
3-1/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 jigger Scotch whiskey

Nutritional information unavailable.

Winning meals

Best of the Taste awards, chosen by popular vote:

Best Beef: Big Island Steak House, ribs
Best Dessert Indigo: Double Double Chocolate Torte
Best Pasta: Ciao Mein, Seafood Fun Lasagna
Best Pork: Texas Rock-N-Roll Sushi Bar, ribs
Best Poultry: Indigo, Lemon Grass Chicken Brochettes
Best Salad: Nicholas/Nickolas, Maui Wowie
Best Seafood: The Colony, Casserole of Prawns
Best Vegetarian: Texas Rock-N-Roll Sushi Bar, Vegetarian Sushi

People's Choice Wine

Wine: Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvingon

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