Da Kine

Star-Bulletin staff
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STAR-BULLETIN / 2001
Chef Alan Wong is a regular guest chef at Leeward Community College's Taste of the Stars.

Chefs head west

The Taste of the Stars dining event at Leeward Community College May 6 will feature 22 classy chefs and their classy signature dishes, but the event will also be a celebration of local-kine grinds.

The annual event pays tribute to inductees into the school's Culinary Hall of Fame. At the top of this year's list: KC Jiro and Esther Asato of the former KC Drive Inn (home of the waffle dog) and Wisteria Restaurant. They'll be joined by Hans Weiler of Hans Weiler Foods and Faith Ogawa of Glow Hawaii and Dining by Faith.

The Hall of Fame signifies the event's deeper meaning, but buying a ticket means you will eat very well.

Participating chefs represent such restaurants as Alan Wong's, Chai's Island Bistro, Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch & Crab, Side Street Inn, Café Laufer, the Halekulani, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, the Pacific Club, Diamond Head Grill, Hiroshi Eurasion Tapas, Roy's and 3660 on the Rise.

Tickets are $85 until April 15, when the price goes up to $100. Reserved seating is $170 and sponsorships are available at $1,600 to $20,000. The price includes wines, martini bar, specialty teas and coffees. The event benefits culinary programs at LCC. Call 455-0215.

KCC classes

These classes will be offered at Kapiolani Community College in April. Classes include hands-on cooking and tasting of the featured dishes.

Call 734-9211.

Ribs N' Things: Kevin's Two Boots chef Kevin Tate explains how to make Cajun-stye ribs and side dishes; 8 a.m. to noon April 29. Cost is $60.

Wrap It Up!: Personal chef Alyssa Moreau shares recipes for veggie sandwiches, wraps, spreads and other quick nutritious meals; 8 a.m. to noon April 22. Cost is $45.

Cooking basics: Chef Grant Sato leads a series of Saturday classes, all held from 8 a.m. to noon. A class on roasting is April 8 ($55) and quick desserts is April 29 ($60).

GOT A BEAR YOU CAN SPARE?

STAR-BULLETIN / 2005
Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii aims to collect more than 3,000 teddy bears in the "Show You Care ... Share a Bear" drive Saturday at Ward Warehouse. Bears of all types will be accepted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to be distributed to family shelters, children's hospitals and other groups that help children in crisis. Call 951-0200. Marvince Benjamin, a 9-year-old volunteer, helped with last year's collection at Pearlridge Center.