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Seeking the best birthday cake

Maui County is looking for the perfect cake to celebrate its 100th birthday.

The Ultimate Birthday Cake Challenge is open to amateur bakers. They must use at least one made- or grown-on-Maui ingredient (but no ice cream).

The cakes must be donated to the Centennial Celebration "Big Bash," Aug. 20 at the War Memorial complex.

Prizes will be awarded for Best Round Cake, Best Square/Sheet Cake and Best of Show.

Recipes must be submitted by Aug. 12. E-mail co100.cake@hotmail.com, fax (808) 242-8391 or mail to 1975 Vineyard St. No. 400, Wailuku 96793.

Include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and dimensions of your cake.

Poke competition

Entries are also being sought for the Aloha Festivals' Poke Contest, to be held Sept. 11 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Big Island.

The seven categories are for traditional, cooked and spicy poke, as well as poke with tofu, limu, ogo and soy sauce.

Entry fee is $10 or professionals and $2 for amateurs. Deadline to enter is Sept. 2.

For details, visit the Web site, www.pokecontest.com.

Cooking classes

These classes are coming up in August. All are on Saturdays and involve demonstrations and samplings of dishes prepared.

Kapiolani Community College: Classes include hands-on cooking. Registration runs three weeks in advance. Call 734-9211.

» Cooking with Pork: 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 6; $50

» Tantalizing Summer Tarts: 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 6; $50

» Cooking with Lamb: 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 13; $55

Kahala Mandarin Oriental: Classes run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The last two involve hands-on cooking :

» Cooking for Keiki: Healthy ways of preparing kids' favorites such as pizza and hot pockets. Aug. 6; $75.

» Cocktails and the Second Course: Martinis and non-alcoholic cocktails, served with Chilled Tri-Melon Soup and Ahi Escabeche. Aug. 13; $65.

» Main Course and Wine Pairing: Veal Loin Cordon Bleu, Potato Gnocci, Summer Vegetables, plus wine tastings. Aug. 20; $125.

» Dessert, Specialty Coffees and Teas: Peach Melba, Cherry Creme Brulee, Irish Coffee. Aug. 27; $115.

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