Kapalua Wine and Food Festival Host Fred Dame

This year Kapalua celebrates 30 years, that is amazing! They have added an amazing thursday line up including a wine education seminar that benefits the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation.

The 30th Annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival“A Toast to 3-0”
Hosted by Master Sommelier Fred Dame
Celebrating fine wine & food
June 9 – 12, 2011

Here is a link to the schedule of events and the ticket purchase website

or peruse it here below

check the social media meter here:

THURSDAY, June 9

Guild of Sommeliers Education FoundationThe Ritz-Carlton, KapaluaIntroductory Class

This 3-hour introductory class is a new initiative for the 2011 program. Targeted towards local F&B professionals,under the guidance of Master Sommeliers, attendees will “tour” the great winegrowing regions of the worldin enthusiastic detail. The emphasis is on education and fun, and the Guild intends to foster lively discussionamong attendees and educators, who, as Master Sommeliers, are some of the world’s foremost experts onwine. The seminar spans the entire map of the wine world, including the United States, Bordeaux, Tuscany,Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, Australia, Germany, and more. Proceeds from the class are returned directly to the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation.

12:00 noon – 3:00 pm

Local Industry Trade Show

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

By invitation only, local wine distributors and Maui-grown purveyors present their newest releases and latestcreations to industry buyers.

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Welcome Reception By invitation only, this affair includes Festival Master Sommeliers, Festival Chefs, winemakers, media and 4-dayFestival pass holders for an intimate “aloha” kick-off to the 2011 Festival!
FRIDAY, June 10
7:00 am – Shotgun Start Festival Golf Tournament The Bay Course, Kapalua

Pair up perfectly with Festival Master Sommeliers and winemakers for a game of gently rolling fairways and scenicocean views with complimentary awards luncheon to follow. Available to 4-day Festival pass holders, media and industry only. Pre-registration is required.

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Three Decades of Reserve Cab, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

An unrivaled destiny tasting…Beringer, Cardinale, Jordan and Silver Oak Wineries showcase three of their reserve Cabernet Sauvignon selections; one each from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.
Featured Wineries: Beringer, Cardinale, Jordan Vineyard & Winery and Silver Oak Cellars

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Aloha Garden PavilionJoin us for “A Toast to 3-0”! Let your palate explore over two hundred celebrated wines from regions around the world and savor the cuisine of local culinary stars and Maui County Farm Bureau Members. Come dressed yourbest and dance the night away with live entertainment.

The Grand Tasting – Maui Grown
Preliminary Schedule of Events – All items subject to change.
Kapalua Resort Events • 1000 Kapalua Drive Lahaina, HI 96761 • (808) 665-9160 • (808) 669-2063 fax • kapalua.com

SATURDAY, June 11
11:00 am – 12:30 pm Pinots Meet Cheese The Ritz-Carlton, KapaluaCome one, come all…Cheese Master, Kent Torrey of The Cheese Shop in Carmel is back by popular demand! Thisyear paired with Pinots of all genres, you’ll experience Pinots and cheese like you never have before.
Featured Wineries: Etude, Krutz Family Vineyards, Lachini Vineyards and Sapphire Hill Vineyards

1:00pm – 2:30 pm A Drive Up Hwy 101 The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.

The Pacific Coast Highway is a state of mind, so come and explore one of the most intriguing drives in the world.Think of this as your opportunity to experience the drinks without having to drive.
Featured Wineries: Carlisle, Justin, Littorai, Patz & Hall, Pisoni, Ramey and Williams-Selyem

Time: Varies Festival Winemakers Dinners

Location: Varies

Wine and dine with Festival Winemakers. For more information on these awe-inspiring dinners and priceless opportunities, please visit the Festival website at kapalua.com.

SUNDAY, June 12
11:00 am – 12:30 pm You say Shiraz, I say Syrah

The Ritz-Carlton, KapaluaThis is the head-to-head showdown of The Land Down Under vs. Stars and Stripes. Either way you say it, thisdark-skinned grape produces a powerful punch! Which side are you on?
Featured Wineries: Penfolds, Pepper Bridge, Scherrer, Waters and Wind Gap

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Farm Fresh with Chef Peter Merriman The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Chef Peter Merriman invites you to join him for a localized feat of unparalleled farm fresh simple signature dishes. Submerge your senses in this custom dining experience, complemented with extraordinary wine pairings.
Featured 4-Course Menu:1. Poisson Cru 2. Strawberry and Maui Onion Surfing Goat Cheese Salad 3. Maui Cattle Co. Filet of Beef, Hamakua and Basil-Feta Pesto Wrapped in Phyllo Dough with CharredTomato Vinaigrette 4. Old School Hawaiian Chocolate Cream Pie
Featured Wineries: Ehlers and Freixenet USA

The Ritz-Carlton, KapaluaBeach House Lawn Find your forte! The grand finale event showcases Maui’s top chefs and the bounty of the Pacific! Enjoy wine,beer and spirits while you mingle with winemakers, chefs and friends right on the Beach House Lawn! And dance on to the live entertainment featuring Maui’s favorite band, An Den!

Maui Seafood Festival
Preliminary Schedule of Events – All items subject to change.
Kapalua Resort Events • 1000 Kapalua Drive Lahaina, HI 96761 • (808) 665-9160 • (808) 669-2063 fax • kapalua.com

Purchase tickets online at kapalua.com or call 808-665-9160
*Kama’aina discounts available through May 31, must call to provide valid HI driver’s license.

Here is the social media chatter on the fest:

The Kapalua Wine and Food Festival, local Maui food and international wine make a great pairing

Executive Chef John Zaner, The Grand Tasting “Summer Soiree”

Haiku Tomato Stand: Kiawe Smoked Tomato Bisque, Gorgonzola Toast; Kalua Pork & Wonton Crunch, Sambal Tomato Pico de Gallo; Haiku Tomato & Housemade Mozzarella Caprese

Upcountry Farm: Surfing Goat Dairy Cheese, Roasted Beets, Waipoli Greens; Makawao Corn & Shrimp Risotto; Grilled Maui Farms Antipasti, Pineapple, Asparagus, Assorted Vegetables

Hukilau Foods: Lemongrass Chicken Skewer, Sweet Potato, Maui Onion & Curry Aioli; Hawaiian Moi & Hamakua Mushrooms in Ti Leaves; Macadamia & Guava Crusted Brie, French Bread, Sesame Crackers

Maui Cattle Company: Teriyaki New York Steak Salad, Local Baby Spinach, Wasabi Vinaigrette, Smoked BBQ Brisket, Truffle Polenta, Warm Corn & Coconut Muffins, Mango Jam

Islands Finest Desserts: Kula Lavender & Coconut Sorbet; Maui Gold Pineapple Caramel Cake; Lehua Honey & Macadamia Tarts; Hawaiian Chocolate Decadence Cake

This year the festival celebrates its 29th year with an unprecedented partnership with the Maui County Farm Bureau. D.K. Kodama is Festival Chef for Sunday’s Culinary exhibition, featuring the Seafood Festival and a much anticipated luncheon DK Secrets: Sansei Style. Chef Kodama is the mastermind behind the wildly popular Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, opening the first one in Kapalua in 1995. Now he has 6 restaurants and counting. Sansei has expanded its lively sushi bar and signature hawaiian fusion style to Kihei and Honolulu. Chef Kodama is embracing the farm to fork concept and will have a mini farmers market  at the luncheon on Sunday, and the opportunity for participants to talk story with the farmers, Darren Strand, Doug Schenk, Geoff Haines, and Warren Watanabe. In DK Secrets on Sunday you will get an insider’s view of one of the most inspired innovators of Hawaiian regional cuisine and how he works with local ingredients to get to the award winning food on his menus.

Nancy Cross, Vice President of Events Management, Kapalua Resort said, “The Festival has always showcased intriguing wines from around the world, but this year’s culinary spotlight will be centered on Hawaii ’s unique cuisine. We’re very excited to have DK Kodama as our featured chef for Sunday’s culinary exhibition, an event not to be missed. With DK’s focus on local farm to table menus it also made perfect sense to collaborate with Maui County Farm Bureau and its members, including Maui Cattle Company, to highlight Grown on Maui local products and produce throughout the event.”

Here is one of the recipes that you will get at the DK Secrets Luncheon: New Wave Hawaiian Ono Sashimi with Spicy Cilantro-Ginger Oil Serves 2: 5 slices Sashimi Grade Hawaiian Ono,  2 Tbsp Hot Ginger Oil,  1/2 tsp Fresh Grated Ginger,  2 tsp Shiro Soy Sauce,  Micro Shiso • Spicy Cilantro-Ginger Oil:  1 cup Olive-Canola Oil Blend 2 Tbsp Fresh Grated Ginger 1/2 cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro 1 Tbsp Minced Shallots 1 tsp. Red Crushed Chili Flakes Salt & White Pepper – to taste . 1/2 tsp Sesame Oil Heat oil in a sauce pot until it just begins to smoke. Remove from heat and add all ingredients except the sesame oil. Let sit to marry and infuse flavors. Strain and add the sesame oil. Set aside. To prepare dish: Arrange ono slices on serving dish. Place a pinch of grated ginger in the center of each slice. Drizzle the hot cilantro-ginger oil and shiro soy sauce over the slices. Garnish with the micro shiso and serve.

Seafood Festival

The finale to the event, The Seafood Festival is a culinary exhibition on a grand scale. Thirteen restaurants and executive chefs represent the best they have to offer in hopes of fetching Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s “Best of the Fest” award. The bounty of our surrounding sea is showcased, scallops, opakapaka, Hamachi, ogo, and swordfish but accompanied with Maui’s fresh farm foods like goat cheese from Surfing Goat Dairy, Kula corn, O’o farm carrots and Kapalua farm herbs. You will find a few surprising beef dishes to round out the flavors, like Maui Culinary Academy’s Hawaii Ranchers Hawaiian Red Veal, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Sushi Ala Ruth. There will be live entertainment, wine and beer and your last opportunity of the weekend to mingle with winemakers and master sommeliers. Host Fred Dame says, “I do a number of wine events through the year. This is the one I look forward to. The beautiful location and the finest participants all come together and it feels like ohana.”

The Seafood Festival

Bev Gannon Restaurants: Crab Canneloni – with lemongrass ginger sauce; Crab, Tomato and Avocado Roll Tower – layers of crab, tomato, and shiso on top of a cucumber avocado roll with wasabi vinaigrette

Banyan Tree: Pan Seared Scallops – with english peas and Maitake mushrooms risotto; Olive Oil Poached Hawaiian Tuna – with niςoise salad

Capische?: Olive Oil Poached Snapper – poached snapper and roasted eggplant caponate with a pistachio pesto; King Salmon Crudo – Salmon crudo, tomato water ice, cucumber salad and an olive carmel

David Paul’s Island Grill: Fried Green Olowalu Tomatoes – blue corn crusted and fried green tomato with red tomato pico de gallo; Escabeche of Island Snapper – Olive oil roasted snapper on crisp rosemary croustini with pancetta vinaigrette

I’O/Pacific’O Restaurants: Charred Confit of Big Eye Tuna – seared big eye tuna in Kaffir scented olive oil served over carrot juice risotto with baby O’O Farm Heirloom carrots, garnished with organic watermelon radish and mint; Tartare of Organic Kula Beets – roasted beets mixed with herbs, yogurt and capers, garnished with Surfing Goat Dairy feta cheese and cumin dusted plantain chips

Kai Sushi Bar: Miso Cream Shrimp Dynamite – shrimp baked in miso cream white sauce; Hamachi Tartare – chopped hamachi with jalapeno ponzu jelly

Maui Culinary Academy: Hawaii Ranchers Hawaiian Red Veal – XO braised Hawaiian red veal in bamboo steamed buns with pickled island vegetables, Mahi on My Mind! – marinated sashimi of Mahi Mahi in cold pink ginger soup, fresh mango slaw and Hawaiian chili dust

Merriman’s Kapalua: Merriman’s Grilled Opah – grilled opah with local tomato-citrus relish on house made brioche; Home-Grown Beet and Tomato Gazpacho – home grown cold vegetable soup

Pineapple Grill: Miso- Sesame Glazed Monchong – served with lee cheong and a Kula corn risotta cake; Australian Hiramasa Tartare with Li-Hing Mui and Summer Herbs – fine chopped raw hiramasa, toasted with scented olive oil and salt, served with a small salad of Kapalua Farm herbs with a li-hing mui sauce

The Plantation House Restaurant: Citrus Glazed Swordfish – with a Kapalua Farm tomato marmalade and toasted fregula salad, Chef’s Cold Table – including swordfish belly “scapece” and Kapalua Farms vegetable salads

Roy’s Restaurant Maui: Roy’s Kahana “Fish n chips” – seabass pan crisped with fennel pollen crust, local preserved lemon tartar sauce and fennel chips; Beef Tataki – Maui Cattle Company beef tataki with baby watercress and yamaimu with ponzu

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Ono Pastrami Sliders – fresh island Ono served pastrami style on mini buns, topped with Ruth’s famous coleslaw; Sushi Ala Ruth – Tenderloin beef, island vegetables and sushi rice wrapped in nori, complimented with Ruth’s sesame aioli sauce

Wolfgang Puck’s “Spago”: Sweet & Sour Glazed Island Fish in lettuce cups – Opakapaka, macadamia nuts and ginger vinaigrette, Kona Coast Opakapaka Sashimi Salad – soy shallot dressing, ogo seaweed and local radish- Maui onion salad

Desserts by Chef Ashley of The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua: Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch and Peanut Butter Ice Cream, Salted Caramel Cheesecake with Upcountry Strawberry Compote

Wine Tastings

Sandwiched between the Grand Tasting and Sunday’s culinary exhibitions are a number of interactive wine tasting seminars. These usually specialize in a particular wine, like “Heal the World with Pinot Noir,” “Zins and Cheese,” and the “Cab Franc Retrospective.”  See the complete schedule below. The Wine Idol: The Master Challenge takes a different approach with the festival sommeliers bringing their favorite wines to the panel to be judged with a winner voted in at the end. What to pair the wine with and why the wine was sommelier favorite will be examined in a lively discussion. The judges are Fred Dame, Geoff Kluth, and Blakesly Chappellet.

Check out my separate post on the winemaker’s dinners here.

Up-to-Date Feed on Twitter:

Schedule of Events including Winemakers Dinners starting from Thursday and going in chronological order:

Maui Brewing Company Dinner – Thu, Jun 24. Dinner features five courses and 4 beer pairings. $50. 5:30 p.m. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Kapalua, 600 Office Rd., Kapalua; 808-669-6286; www.sanseihawaii.com

Brewer Clifton Winery Dinner – Thu, Jun 24. Wine pairing featuring owner and winemaker Greg Brewer. 7 Wines and 13 appetizers enjoyed in a casual bar lanai gathering. $65. 6 p.m. Pineapple Grill, 200 Kapalua Drive, Kapalua; 808-669-9600; www.pineapplekapalua.com

Lucia Vineyards Dinner – Thu, Jun 24. Wine dinner featuring wine grape grower Gary Pisoni. Five courses and eight wine pairings. $125. 6:30 p.m. Merriman’s, 1 Bay Club Pl., Lahaina; 808-669-6400 www.merrimanshawaii.com

Cab Franc Retrospective – Fri, Jun 25. Cabernet Sauvignon lovers listen up. Cab Franc, a major red varietal and the parent grape to CS has taken two centuries to make it to the US. See if you will fall for the Cab Franc too. . $75. 1:30-3 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

The Grand Tasting at Kapalua Wine and Food Festival – Fri, Jun 25. This year’s festival theme is “Summer Soiree.” Live entertainment in the Aloha Garden Pavillion with close to two hundred international wines. Cuisine by Ritz Carlton Kapalua Executive Chef John Zaner. $135. 6 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

Heal the World with Pinot Noir – Sat, Jun 26. Wine can make the world a better place, especially when the vineyards and winemakers of Sapphire Hill, Pisoni, Patz & Hall, Scherrer, Brewer-Clifton, Brooks, Lachini and Hanzell are involved. Keep the faith in this hour and a half pow-wow with Pinot Noir Winemakers. $75. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

Kapalua Wine Tour – Sat, Jun 26. Embark in an adventure through the spectacular Kapalua Resort, as local wine distributors showcase the unique and hard-to-find wines in their current portfolios. Shuttle service is provided. $50. 12:30-2 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

Zins and Cheese – Sat, Jun 26. With Cheese Master Kent Torrey of The Cheese Shop in Carmel in the house, anything can happen at this pairing with Zinfandel the apparent chameleon of the wine world. $75. 3-4 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-669-6200; http://www.kapalua.com

Brewer Clifton Winery Dinner – Sat, Jun 26. Greg Brewer will preside with a dinner featuring four courses with surprises and four wine pairings. $65. 5:30 p.m. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Kapalua, 600 Office Rd., Kapalua; 808-669-6286; www.sanseihawaii.com

Patz and Hall Wine Company – Sat, Jun 26. Featuring owner and winemaker Donald Patz. Reception starts at 6pm, three appetizers, four courses and six wines. Dinner at 7pm. $115. 6 p.m. Pineapple Grill, 200 Kapalua Drive, Kapalua; 808-669-9600; www.pineapplekapalua.com

Scherrer Winery – Sat, Jun 26. Featuring owner and winemaker Fred Scherrer. Reception with dinner to follow. Two appetizers, four courses and five wine pairings. $75. 6 p.m. The Plantation House Restaurant, 2000 Plantation Club Dr., Kapalua; 808-667-9225; http://www.theplantationhouse.com/

Chappellet Vineyards and Winery – Sat, Jun 26. Wine dinner featuring owners Cyril and Blakesley Chappellet. Five courses and five wines. $125. 6:30 p.m. Merriman’s, 1 Bay Club Pl., Lahaina; 808-669-6400. www.merrimanshawaii.com

Wine Idol: The Master Challenge – Sun, Jun 27. The best of the best is featured here with the Master Sommeliers Fred Dame, Geoff Kruth, and Blakesley Chappellet Judging. Learn why the wines got to the favorites table, and what to pair them with at this lively discussion of wines. $75. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

D.K.’s Secrets: Sansei Style – Sun, Jun 27. Learn about the impeccable palate of DK Kodama, at this intimate get together of food and wine. D.K. has set the bar for sushi restaurants and his hawaiian fusion style has created one of the most sought after menu’s on Maui and Oahu. Chef Kodama will host this amazing lunch and take you on a tour of tastings you won’t forget. $135. 1-3 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

The Seafood Festival – Sun, Jun 27. Join Festival Chef DK Kodama at this years Kapalua Wine and Food Festival Finale. Fourteen amazing Maui restaurants and their executive chefs come together at this Festival to strut their stuff, and compete for the Maui No Ka Oi “Best of the Fest” Award. This year’s participants include Gannons, Banyan Tree, David Paul’s Island Grill, Capische, I’o, Pacific’o, Kai Sushi Bar, Maui Culinary Academy, Merriman’s Kapalua, Pineapple Grill, The Plantation House Restaurant, Roy’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Spago, and the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. $135. 6-9 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

Winemakers Dinners at the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival

Presents…

Gary Pisoni, Lucia Vineyards

The Winemakers Dinners that stem from the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival are an excellent opportunity to get cozy with a winemaker. Vineyard owners, grape growers and wine makers lead fascinating stories and narratives of their wines while our local chefs offer the perfect culinary pairings in an intimate setting.

Lucia Vinyards visionary Gary Pisoni will be on hand Thursday night at Merriman’s Kapalua to feature his California Central Coast wines. Relatively new to the wine world Pisoni began bottling wine with his sons Jeff and Mark under the Pisoni Estate label with their first vintage in 1998. By 2000 they added the Lucia label featured at this wine dinner. Pisoni and family already had a reputation for growing some of the best grapes in the region, despite many challenges with water supply. He planted his first vines in 1982 on his family’s ranch at the 1300 foot elevation and trucked water in from the valley floor. From 86 to 89 he drilled five wells that turned up dry, but hit water in 1991. With the addition of the well water he planted 40 more acres but continues a philosophy of growing with low amounts of water. Pisoni says, “My theory is simple: Make the grapes scream for water.” Find him at the festival as well, he will be a panelist at the Heal the World with Pinot Noir. Follow the Pisoni family at @pisonivineyards.

Find them on facebook: Pisoni Vineyards & Winery Gary will “Heal the world with Pinot Noir” this week at the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival…in addition to dinners at Merriman’s and the Hali’maile General Store. Keep an eye out for updates!

Cyril Chappellet, Chappellet Winery, Napa Valley

The Chappellet family has been making wine in the Napa Valley since 1967. The Chappellet Winery is known for their award winning Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2007 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cab is on The Wine Spectator’s list with a score of 96, described as, “Sleek, rich, intensse and beautifully balanced.” With three generations of the Chappellet family working on their vineyards and winemaking, they are recognized as one of the great winemaking families of California. Cyril Chappellet and wife Blakesley will be hosting the wine dinner at Merrimans on Saturday June 26  featuring their chardonnay, Mountain Cuvee (a cabernet suvingon and merlot blend), their signature cabernet sauvignon, Pritchard Hill cab, and the Pritchard Hill Cabernet Franc. Chef Merriman will be pairing in 5 courses. Blakesley Chappellet will also be judging at the Wine Idol Seminar. Chappellet Winery is on twitter at http://twitter.com/chappellet_wine. (@chappellet_wine).

Schedule of Events including Winemakers Dinners starting from Thursday and going in chronological order: (Winemakers Dinners Highlighted here:)

Maui Brewing Company Dinner – Thu, Jun 24. Dinner features five courses and 4 beer pairings. $50. 5:30 p.m. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Kapalua, 600 Office Rd., Kapalua; 808-669-6286; www.sanseihawaii.com

Brewer Clifton Winery Dinner – Thu, Jun 24. Wine pairing featuring owner and winemaker Greg Brewer. 7 Wines and 13 appetizers enjoyed in a casual bar lanai gathering. $65. 6 p.m. Pineapple Grill, 200 Kapalua Drive, Kapalua; 808-669-9600; www.pineapplekapalua.com

Lucia Vineyards Dinner – Thu, Jun 24. Wine dinner featuring wine grape grower Gary Pisoni. Five courses and eight wine pairings. $125. 6:30 p.m. Merriman’s, 1 Bay Club Pl., Lahaina; 808-669-6400 www.merrimanshawaii.com

Cab Franc Retrospective – Fri, Jun 25. Cabernet Sauvignon lovers listen up. Cab Franc, a major red varietal and the parent grape to CS has taken two centuries to make it to the US. See if you will fall for the Cab Franc too. . $75. 1:30-3 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

The Grand Tasting at Kapalua Wine and Food Festival – Fri, Jun 25. This year’s festival theme is “Summer Soiree.” Live entertainment in the Aloha Garden Pavillion with close to two hundred international wines. Cuisine by Ritz Carlton Kapalua Executive Chef John Zaner. $135. 6 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

Heal the World with Pinot Noir – Sat, Jun 26. Wine can make the world a better place, especially when the vineyards and winemakers of Sapphire Hill, Pisoni, Patz & Hall, Scherrer, Brewer-Clifton, Brooks, Lachini and Hanzell are involved. Keep the faith in this hour and a half pow-wow with Pinot Noir Winemakers. $75. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

Kapalua Wine Tour – Sat, Jun 26. Embark in an adventure through the spectacular Kapalua Resort, as local wine distributors showcase the unique and hard-to-find wines in their current portfolios. Shuttle service is provided. $50. 12:30-2 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

Zins and Cheese – Sat, Jun 26. With Cheese Master Kent Torrey of The Cheese Shop in Carmel in the house, anything can happen at this pairing with Zinfandel the apparent chameleon of the wine world. $75. 3-4 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-669-6200;http://www.kapalua.com

Brewer Clifton Winery Dinner – Sat, Jun 26. Greg Brewer will preside with a dinner featuring four courses with surprises and four wine pairings. $65. 5:30 p.m. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Kapalua, 600 Office Rd., Kapalua; 808-669-6286; www.sanseihawaii.com

Patz and Hall Wine Company – Sat, Jun 26. Featuring owner and winemaker Donald Patz. Reception starts at 6pm, three appetizers, four courses and six wines. Dinner at 7pm. $115. 6 p.m. Pineapple Grill, 200 Kapalua Drive, Kapalua; 808-669-9600; www.pineapplekapalua.com

Scherrer Winery – Sat, Jun 26. Featuring owner and winemaker Fred Scherrer. Reception with dinner to follow. Two appetizers, four courses and five wine pairings. $75. 6 p.m. The Plantation House Restaurant, 2000 Plantation Club Dr., Kapalua; 808-667-9225; http://www.theplantationhouse.com/

Chappellet Vineyards and Winery – Sat, Jun 26. Wine dinner featuring owners Cyril and Blakesley Chappellet. Five courses and five wines. $125. 6:30 p.m. Merriman’s, 1 Bay Club Pl., Lahaina; 808-669-6400. www.merrimanshawaii.com

Wine Idol: The Master Challenge – Sun, Jun 27. The best of the best is featured here with the Master Sommeliers Fred Dame, Geoff Kruth, and Blakesley Chappellet Judging. Learn why the wines got to the favorites table, and what to pair them with at this lively discussion of wines. $75. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

D.K.’s Secrets: Sansei Style – Sun, Jun 27. Learn about the impeccable palate of DK Kodama, at this intimate get together of food and wine. D.K. has set the bar for sushi restaurants and his hawaiian fusion style has created one of the most sought after menu’s on Maui and Oahu. Chef Kodama will host this amazing lunch and take you on a tour of tastings you won’t forget. $135. 1-3 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160;http://www.kapalua.com

The Seafood Festival – Sun, Jun 27. Join Festival Chef DK Kodama at this years Kapalua Wine and Food Festival Finale. Fourteen amazing Maui restaurants and their executive chefs come together at this Festival to strut their stuff, and compete for the Maui No Ka Oi “Best of the Fest” Award. This year’s participants include Gannons, Banyan Tree, David Paul’s Island Grill, Capische, I’o, Pacific’o, Kai Sushi Bar, Maui Culinary Academy, Merriman’s Kapalua, Pineapple Grill, The Plantation House Restaurant, Roy’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Spago, and the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. $135. 6-9 p.m. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Dr., Kapalua; 808-665-9160; http://www.kapalua.com

Kapalua Wine and Food Festival

Kapalua Wine and Food festival is a one of kind event, four days of wine and food (in that order) in Kapalua. The prestigious event showcases wines, wine pairings, winemaker’s dinners and festival signature events like the Grand Tasting and the Seafood Festival. This year with Maui’s own Chef DK Kodama presiding as festival chef there is an exciting new partnership forged with Maui County Farm Bureau. Nancy Cross, vice president of Events Management, said, ““The Kapalua Wine & Food Festival has always showcased intriguing wines from around the world, but this year’s culinary spotlight will be centered on Hawaii ’s unique cuisine. We’re very excited to have DK Kodama as our featured chef for Sunday’s culinary exhibition, an event not to be missed. With DK’s focus on local farm to table menus it also made perfect sense to collaborate with Maui County Farm Bureau and its members, including Maui Cattle Company, to highlight Grown on Maui local products and produce throughout the event.”

There are so many events at the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival I am planning to post the info separately for each one. Stay tuned!

Kama’aina savings on all festivities are available but only through Friday, June 18, 2010. Kama’aina 4-Day Festival Passes are priced at $599. Ala-Carte tickets to the Grand Tasting, Seafood Festival and “DK’s Secrets: Sansei-Style” are priced at only $120 each. Kama’aina prices for individual wine seminars range from $50-$55. Call 1-888-665-9160, or go online.

You can follow @kapaluaresort on twitter to get updates, or check out their facebook site.

Star Noodle in Lahaina Rocked the Maui Tweeps

Thank you to @daniakatz for coordinating the really fun tweet up @starnoodle. It was great to see some familiar faces from the last tweet up, but I also got to meet new twitterverse friends and place faces to some of my favorite twitter handles. My mom was in town from Molokai, and was trying to get the concept of a tweet up. Its always refreshing to run things by mom who really will only embrace a new technology when she absolutely needs to. Maybe we will see mom on twitter one of these days.

To start the evening off Michael Moore of Star Noodle offered free pupus and dessert to the tweet peeps in our group, plus everything we spent went to Maui Food Bank. We ended up raising $345 to which @starnoodle threw in another $100 for a total of $445 raised for Maui Food Bank by the end of the night. What started out as a social gathering ended up raising funds, at the rate of about $3.71 per minute. That is the power of the twitterverse I suppose.

At my last tweet up at Pa’ina food court @amauiblog and I had a strategy to try to meet at least four other peeps, which we far outdid. My focus this time was to get some quality chat time with folks I met last time, and of course meet new people too, and try something new (or two) on the menu at Star Noodle (@starnoodle). Success on all counts. Here are my notes.

Great to see Peter Liu (@peterliu47) and his wife Kathy Becklin (@alohakathy). Kathy was the only one I did not get to chat with! We giggled about it later, but really Kathy, its a raincheck. I want to know how you fit organic gardening into the schedule. I notice Tommy Russo (@tommyrusso) and Peter spent quite a bit of time on the ipad…

@PeterLiu47, Peter Liu, inacoolhour.co…, Technologist, social media consultant, photographer, green living and sustainability advocate, science nerd, foodie, divemaster, former Silicon Valley techie.

Very cool to meet Chris Taylor, attending to rep mauifoodweb.com and @mauifoodweb. Maui Food Web is really passionate about helping growers, and encouraging and supporting a community of locovores. I encourage everyone to check out their web site, and join the forum. I did.

Chris Taylor courtesy of @jmarilyn

@mauifoodweb, Maui Food Web, mauifoodweb.com, Promoting local food through community interaction.

Sarah Burns was a new face to follow for me. It was nice to meet Sarah Burns (@sarahbhawaii): she is a busy body extraordinare, as are most mom’s who twitter. Her Website was a totally cool Maui family site. Looks like she is heading to Lana’i with family in tow. Enjoy Manele Bay! See @jmarilyn’s photo below at event.

@sarahbhawaii courtesy of @jmarilyn

@SarahBHawaii, Sarah Burns, TheOhanaMama.c…, The Ohana Mama: California native, mom blogger who traded traffic filled freeways & cold West Coast waters for a beach house in the middle of the Pacific Ocean

Nadine @sneakpeekeats: bless my heart another foodie! We met at the last tweet up so introductions were complete. We got down to foodie business and talked about our secret favorite restaurant list, prospective restaurants to try, and agreed to meet up at the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival. Nadine I wanted to link a video of Cafe Des Amis (your recomendation to my Paia try now list) but I am not seeing a way to ad the video link here. Let me know if you guys will do embeds or share links to the individual restaurants (not just the whole website) soon. I’m hoping to add Sneak Peek Eats in my blog and listings!

Dania at the Tweetup Courtesy of @peterliu47

Can I get a round of applause for Dania Katz (@daniakatz) who organized this @starnoodle tweet up and then raised money for the Maui Food Bank? We discussed teenage boys, and I am not talking about Justin Beiber either. I asked for advice on attending my very first Kapalua Wine and Food Festival, @daniakatz knows best. “Go hungry and enjoy everything. Stay in Kapalua if you can.” Dania dished on the ZAP wine pairing dinner and grand tasting held a few weeks ago at Maui Culinary Academy, which I sadly missed while covering Wainapanapa. I am still waiting to get the name of that favorite bottle of wine @daniakatz found at the event…

@DaniaKatz, Dania N. Katz, ediblehawaiian…, Supporting the Local Food Movement in the Hawaiian Islands. Board member of @SlowFoodMaui and HATA

During the giveaway I was the lucky winner of Chef Susan Teton’s (@susanteton) DVD set. So appropriate as I embark on a new (I won the DVD set) fitness and diet plan. I was so happy when she said, “We’ll start with looking at the foods that you do like, and build on that.” What a great approach to talking about challenging me to try a raw, cooked, and cultured (?) diet.

Great to meet another individual familiar with Mauitime, Jocelyn Elfstrom, (@SheratonMaui) thanks for reading! Also part of the Dog and Duck Pub Quiz night reigning champ team, that reminds me I sure don’t get out to quiz night fun enough. I stayed at sheraton for my 2 night honeymoon, and still reminisce about those chocolate banana cocktails they make. Back in the Seventies my dad was one of the beach boys doing their ever famous black rock cliff diving and torch lighting ceremonies at sunset, now they have The Cliff Dive Bar after that signature event. Looking forward to the wine tasting experience at @sheratonmaui.

@SheratonMaui, Sheraton Maui Resort, sheraton-maui.…, Ka‘anapali, HI, Where the legend of Ka‘anapali began…brought to you by Jocelyn, PR Manager

Debbi Katz was representing Beyond the Rainbow organization that raises funds through the Aloha Team Classic Golf Event in October. Beyond the Rainbow promotes and create opportunities that will inspire and develop the talents of Maui’s youth by supporting existing non-profit agencies that provide programs and resources that serve the needs of Maui’s youth. Debbi is not related to Dania but does love golf.

Lychee Martini courtesy of @jmarilyn

I was shamelessly pimping posterous.com (@posterous) to Matt (@LHCCMATT). He asked me how I was in so many places (web based that is) at once, but I am hiding behind Posterous do all the work including my twitter stuff. We also couldn’t help discussing the fabulous cocktails at Star Noodle, the list of fancy Sake drinks is the most extensive I have seen. I had the Asian Pear and the Sake Cranzu both incredible. Sake is one of my favorite liquors. Also discussed the absence of JulieY @julieyakacoco and pitied her Las Vegas vacation illness. Missed you Julie!

Always fun to see @jmarilyn who brought her family to the tweet! sister Pammy @ is active on twitter too! Congratulations on winning the @ulalena tickets. Hey where was @sociallia that night? Thanks for taking the great twit pics shots!

Speaking of family, great to see Daryl Fujiwara and talk design, Kamehameha Day Parade Stress. @sfdhawaii Thanks for recommending the Kome Kome Sake, can’t wait to try it. See you at the Parade next week Saturday and no stress!

@sfdhawaii, Daryl Fujiwara, facebook.com/p…, Owner and Design Principal of [Smythe Fujiwara Design] – Graphic Designer, Coordinator, Volleyball Player, Hula Dancer, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club VP

Mahalo to @tommyrusso for doing a fabulous job of ordering food at Star Noodle. Garlic Noodles were to die for, and the rib eye special was a melt in your mouth red meat dish.

Pohole Fern Salad at Star Noodle