DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mindy Tucker, left, Margaret Murchie, Uli Cutter and Gabe Lee -- co-chairs for Diamond Head Theatre's fund-raising dinner, "Leather, Feathers and All That Jazz" -- will be decked out in full costume for the May 31 event. The event's theme is based on the musical "Chicago," which will be DHT's opening performance next season.
Famed chefs make
fund-raisers fancy
Something about the approach of summer encourages the idea of raising cash for charity while eating very well.
A number of these fancy fund-raisers are coming up over the next two weeks. It's time to open the wallet and loosen the belt:
Leather and feathers
Diamond Head Theatre opens its next season with "Chicago," and has taken the musical's razzle-dazzle style as the theme of its May 31 fund-raiser, "Leather, Feathers and All that Jazz."Chef Randal Ishizu of the Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa has prepared an Italian buffet for the 6:30 p.m. gala at the Waialae Country Club.
The menu includes Molokai Sweet Potato Gnochi, Grilled Air-Dried Angus Beef with Bitter Greens, Proscuitto Ham and Mozzarella Fresca with Sun-Dried Pineapples, Sicilian-Style Baked Whole Onaga.
Host chef Tom Wong will put out a cold antipasto spread, and Karen Syrmos is handling an Italian cheese table. Also: a martini bar, wines and a silent auction. Entertainment will be by "Chicago" cast members, with dance music to follow by Almost Paradise with Sonya Mendez.
Cost is $85; $1,110 for tables for 10. Call 733-0277, ext. 305.
Farm fresh
Judge for yourself whether cooking talent equates with musical talent at Roy Yamaguchi's annual benefit for the Hawaii Farm Bureau, 6 p.m. June 2 at Roy's Hawaii Kai.It'll be Yamaguchi on drums and Hiroshi Fukui of L'Uraku on guitar during the entertainment portion of the evening.
As for the eating portion, 11 cooking stations will feature locally grown fish, meats and produce.
Participating will be the two chef/musicians, D.K. Kodama of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Wayne Hirabayashi of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Darryl Fujita of the Halekulani, Colin Nishida of Side Street Inn, Russell Siu of 3660 on the Rise, Douglas Lum of Mariposa, Chai Chaowasaree of Chai's Island Bistro, Elmer Guzman of Sam Choy's Diamond Head and Roy's chefs Arren Higashi, Ronnie Nasutii and Jacqueline Lau.
Cost is $100. Call 848-2074.
Contemporary luau
The Hawaiian Island Chefs consider themselves the inheritors of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine tradition -- a dedication to local foods, presented with contemporary finesse.A dozen of them are participating in this second-annual luau, 6:30 p.m. June 7 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki.
Although the event is billed as a luau, the menu reaches far beyond fish and poi: Slow-Braised Beef Shoulder on Sautéed Mushroom Potato Purée by Steven Ariel of the Pineapple Room, Pastrami Duck Breast on Warm Red Cabbage Salad by Göran Streng of the Hawaii Prince, Magic Mushroom Cap by James McDonald of Pacific 'O and I'o, Braised Short Ribs with Luau Leaf Broth by Russell Siu of 3660 on the Rise -- and that's barely half of it.
Entertainment will be by Amy Hanaialii Gilliom and Kuhai Halau O Kahalepuna Pa Olapa Kahiko, a keiki group.
The chefs have made it a priority to encourage young chefs-in-training, so proceeds from the dinner will benefit culinary training programs statewide.
Tickets are $75, or tables for 10 are $1,500. Call 532-6286.
Brunch benefit
The Rotary Club of Kapaa's fund-raising Sunday brunch, "Taste of Hawaii," takes place for the 15th year, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 1 at Smith's Tropical Paradise in Wailua.Tickets are $65 presale; $75 at the door. Call (808) 651-6726.
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