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STAR-BULLETIN / 2004 Yuko Hara and Kana Masuda enjoy the grinds at Taste of Honolulu.

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A tasty celebration

This weekend's Taste of Honolulu offers two ways to stuff yourself with the bounty of dozens of Oahu restaurants.

Cook-offs At Taste of Honolulu: » Miss Hawaii 2005 Malika Dudley vs. Miss Hawaii-USA Radasha Ho'ohuli, 7 p.m. Friday. » Bank of Hawaii Vice Chairman Peter Ho vs. Central Pacific Bank President and COO Neal Kanda, 1 p.m. Saturday » Assistant Fire Chief Elvin Tomita vs. Assistant Police Chief Bryan Wauke, 2:30 p.m. Saturday » Commedian Mel Cabang vs. City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle; 5:30 p.m. Saturday

For a moderate amount of cash, but a considerable investment in standing-in-line time, you can purchase scrip and fill up on plates from the food booths.

Choices are always immense. Represented will be restaurants such as Brew Moon, the Prince Court, the Willows, Gyu-Kaku, Kevin's Two Books and Neptune's Garden.

For more upfront cash -- $100, to be specific -- you can buy a place in the Chefs du Jour tent, which allows you a place to sit and tastings of dishes from seven upscale restaurants, many of which will be represented by their executive chef. These include Alan Wong, Roy Yamaguchi, Chai Chaowasaree, Hiroshi Fukui and D.K. Kodama.

Wine is included, as well as valet parking. The Chefs du Jour tent is open only from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, and Friday is nearly sold out.

Serious wine drinkers can purchase a $15 Wine Tasting Tour, which includes six 2-ounce tastings.

Taste of Honolulu takes place on the grounds of the Honolulu Civic Center. It is an annual fund-raiser for Easter Seals Hawaii, a support group for adults and children with disabilities.

Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3; children and seniors free. Military and their families will be admitted free before 3 p.m. on the weekend.

Call 536-1015. For a list of restaurants and entertainment acts, visit the Web site, www.taste808.com.

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Cooking classes

Kapiolani Community College offers these classes in July, taught by chef/instructor Grant Sato. Registration runs three weeks in advance. All classes are from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Call 734-9211.

Cooking with Fish: Learn the best methods for preparing near-shore and open-ocean local fish, July 9. Also covers purchasing, butchering, handling and storage. Cost is $60.
Cooking with Shellfish: Choosing and preparing shellfish, for serving raw or cooked, July 16. Cost is $55.
Breakfast Cookery: Recipes for breakfast and brunch, July 23. Cost is $50.
Cooking with Duck: Preparation made simple, July 30. Cost is $55.

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