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Hawaii Diary Michelle Ramos |
Leeward College’s
culinary benefit
draws 1,300 peopleFern Tomisato knows how to throw a party. Leeward Community College's culinary soiree had about 1,300 people feasting on divine morsels created by 18 of some of Hawaii's top chefs. "Taste of the Stars," held Friday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, featured an open martini bar strategically located by the silent auction tables (which bought in more than $30,000 for the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Leeward Community College) where guests waited before the feast. Eighteen food booths were lined up around the Coral Ballroom, with a beverage station on each end. Chefs and assistants were lei'd with silver origami stars made by Karen Nishimoto, Veda Tokashike, Susan Durango, Susan Tanaka and Cathleen Okazaki. (It took them six months to make the 175 leis.) Kimo Kahoano kept the evening light as Master of Ceremonies and Pamela Young, looking elegant in black pants and a red-and-black Chinese-style top, introduced the four Culinary Hall of Fame honorees: Helen Chock of Helena's Hawaiian Food, brothers Charles and the late Francis Higa of the Zippy's chain; former "Let's Go Fishing" and "Hari's Kitchen" TV host Hari Kojima; and Myrtle Lee, who has been in the hospitality industry for more than 42 years. Kahoano's favorite dish was executive pastry chef Richard Wagner's (Oahu Country Club) Chocolate Trilogy. Young liked executive chef Hiroshi Fukui's (L'Uraku) Ocean Raised Moi Cioppino served with Manila Clam, Hamakua Mushrooms and essence of White Truffle Oil. May (Tomisato's sister) and her son Michael Nishikawa agreed with Young. I thought the dishes and the martinis topped the evening until I caught the closing band, which included chef Roy Yamaguchi on the drums and Fukui on the guitar. It's cool seeing their other talents. Like Young said, "(Fukui) plays a mean rhythm guitar. ... He's such a talented guy." ... After all their hard work the chefs and their assistants retired to another room to finally feed themselves. Their spread included such home-style fare as meatballs, fried chicken and noodles. What's up with that? ...
Having Merrie Monarch withdrawals? KITV is producing VHS and DVD copies of this year's competition. It should be available around July. Call 1-800-468-2800. ... Also, many have been requesting copies of KGMB's documentary on Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, entitled "IZ: The Man Behind the Music," which aired on April 14. A release date has not been set yet but those who are interested might keep checking back at the Mountain Apple Co. Web site, www.mountainapplecompany.com or orders can be made at 597-1888 or 1-800-882-7088. Given the initial-ized names of many rap and hiphop stars, it's no surprise that a couple of teens excitedly eyeing IZ's CDs at WAL-Mart pronounced his name "eye-zee." ...
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Hawaii Diary runs every Tuesday. Send items to mramos@starbulletin.com