The Big Island is the No. 3 “;hidden gem”; Culinary Travel Destination in the world, according to travel Web site Away.com.

The Big Island trails only No. 1 Bangkok and No. 2 Mumbai, India.

The rest of the site's 10 best culinary destinations are, in order, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Carmel, Calif.; Fes, Morocco; Walla Walla, Wash.; Southwest London, U.K.; Wellfleet, Mass.; and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, British West Indies.

The chart-toppers were chosen by Away.com's editors and contributors and are based on the writers' research and opinions.

The coverage of the Big Island's food scene uses the words “;sushi topped with Spam”; to describe Spam musubi.

While it may seem a clueless and ignorant description, we might give the writer the benefit of the doubt. She might have chosen the wording to provide a “;visual”; to the yet-unacquainted-with-Hawaii reader that they would be more likely to understand.

The writer is culinarian, author and food-show hostess Kendra Bailey Morris, aka “;the Accidental Chef.”; She also mentions other local favorites, including Chinese char siu, Portuguese sausage, lilikoi pancakes, Korean-style barbecue and “;tuna poke”; (which you just know the uninitiated are mispronouncing in their heads).

She gets props for mentioning the Hilo Farmer's Market and for using the word “;onolicious.”;

“;There's no better way to sink your teeth into a culture than by eating its cuisine,”; said Jessica Ferracane, publicist for the Big Island Visitors Bureau.

“;We're so fortunate on the Big Island to have passionate farmers who take advantage of the diversity of soil and climate and harvest such a vast array of products, and also the chefs who create masterpiece menus with our local ingredients.”;

Ferracane is also an author “;and self-described foodie,”; having penned “;50 Thrifty Big Island Restaurants”; and “;50 Thrifty Maui Restaurants.”;

FCC REVISITS MEDIA OWNERSHIP ISSUE

The Federal Communications Commission is preparing for its quadrennial review of media ownership regulations, which is timely for Honolulu as KGMB-TV and KHNL/KFVE-TV ready the launch of a shared-services agreement under which its combined newscasts are to begin airing next week.

As part of its review, the FCC invites comment from consumers, public interest groups and other interested parties for its early November event.

Media Council Hawaii, which has asked the commission to issue an emergency order blocking the stations' agreement, is well aware of the review.

“;If (KHNL/KFVE owner) Raycom and other broadcasters believe that this is what is required, they should participate in the ownership review process with the FCC,”; said Gerald Kato, media council board member and University of Hawaii journalism professor.

Broadcasters should “;make their arguments then, not try to use the back door to do this. ... That's another reason the FCC should stop this,”; Kato said.

The FCC's Media Bureau and its Industry Analysis Division are handling the scheduling of a series of workshops on media ownership and can answer questions at (202) 418-2330.

———

Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Reach her by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).