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Chefs aiming to raise $250,000 for Katrina aid

The last time this many chefs got together to do this much, it was also in response to a natural disaster.

Chefs for Hope Benefit dinner: 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow Place: Aloha Tower Marketplace Tickets: $150, payable directly to American Red Cross. Corporate tables are $5,000 and $10,000. Call: 585-0011

In January, chef Chai Chaowasaree organized a benefit for victims of the Asian tsunami that killed more than 5,000 in his native Thailand alone. Seventeen restaurants came together at Aloha Tower Marketplace for an outdoor dining event that raised $215,000 for the American Red Cross.

Barely eight months later, Chaowasaree and his chef coalition are back, this time aiming to raise $250,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Again, the event will be at Aloha Tower, and again, 100 percent of ticket sales will go to the relief effort, this time through the Salvation Army.

Lee-Ann Choy, who is helping organize the fund-raiser, says all the food and drinks have been donated. Checks for tickets, in fact, should be made out directly to the Salvation Army.

It's an efficient pipeline for those who want to help and wouldn't mind eating well at the same time.

The number of chefs is much greater than in January. This time, 31 restaurants, catering companies and beverage vendors have signed on.

For the $150 ticket price, participants can eat all they want and drink all they want of wine, beer and other beverages.

Along with Chai's Island Bistro, the restaurants are 3660 on the Rise, the Bistro at Century Center, Diamond Head Grill, Hong Kong Harborview, John Dominis, Michel's, Hiroshi Eurasion Tapas, Roy's Ko Olina, Side Street Inn, Alan Wong's, Duke's Canoe Club, Hoku's, Le Bistro, Nori's Hilo, Olino Events, Sam Choy's, Pacific Club, Tapioca Express, Bali by the Sea, Chef Mavro, Gordon Biersch Brewery, JJ French Pastry, Mariposa, Padovani's and Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar.

A silent auction will be part of the event, featuring a trip for two to Las Vegas with Chaowasaree and Beth Ann Nishijima, for the taping of their show, "Two Skinny Chefs."

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STAR-BULLETIN / JANUARY 2005 A benefit dinner for tsunami relief drew an overflow crowd to Aloha Tower Marketplace earlier this year. A similar event for hurricane relief takes place tomorrow.

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Special events

Tribute to the moon: The Hawaii Mainland China Overseas Association is hosting a dinner celebrating National Day and the 2005 Moon Festival, 7 p.m. Friday at Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant. The evening includes dinner, entertainment, karaoke, dancing and a raffle. Cost is $20. Call 923-9752.

Sake Month: L'Uraku is offering a five-course tasting menu of premium sakes paired with complementary dishes through September. The menu: Duet of Contemporary Sushi, Seared Sea Scallop with Bacon Takana Ragout, Foie Gras & Peppered Seared Ahi, Tofu "Puffs" and Miso Braised Short Ribs. Cost is $37, $25 without sake. Call 955-0552.

Wayne's World of Mushrooms: Executive Chef Wayne Hirabayashi features more than a dozen types of mushrooms, from black trumpets to chanterelles, on a special menu available Thursday through Sept. 28 at Hoku's in the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. Dishes include Sizzling Porcini Mushroom Gnocchi, Forest Mushroom Pizza, Red Wine & Mushroom Braised Kobe Beef Short Ribs, and Loin of Yellowfin Tuna with Marinated Big Island Alii Mushrooms. Call 739-8780.

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