Maui is more than beautiful beaches. This Hawaiian island also has diverse agricultural offerings and a thriving culinary scene. On August 30 and 31, a series of fine food events known as Ka’anapali Fresh will showcase products grown on Maui, area farmers and talented chefs from Ka’anapali Beach Resort.
The two-day event kicks off with a mixology class at the Royal Lahaina Resort that brings the farm-to-table concept to cocktail making. Chandra Lucariello, director of mixology for Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii, will create cocktails featuring locally grown ingredients such as mint and Maui Gold pineapple, as well as island-made rum and vodka.
Friday evening’s progressive Ka’anapali dinner begins at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. The Westin’s culinary crew will join the team from the Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas to create a variety of savory dishes, such as Hamakua mushrooms and Anuhea asparagus quiche. Either by event shuttle or a short walk along a beach path, you will then move to the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, where a variety of desserts and Maui coffee will be served. Hawaii ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro will provide live entertainment.
One of Saturday’s highlights is the Grown on Maui Farmers’ Market at Whalers Village Fine Shops & Restaurants in the Ka’anapali Beach Resort. From 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., shop for grown-on-Maui products, such as flowers, fruits, vegetables, grass-fed beef and sugar cane. There are also opportunities to meet area farmers and view demonstrations by local chefs.
Coffee lovers, Ka’anapali Fresh hasn’t forgotten about you in all the farm-raised revelry. MauiGrown Coffee will host a tour of its farm on Saturday morning. From picking to the pot, learn the art and science behind producing delicious-tasting coffee from Kimo Falconer and Jeff Ferguson of MauiGrown Coffee.
The signature event of Ka’anapali Fresh is Saturday night on the famed third hole of the Royal Kaanapali Golf Course. Here, Ka’anapali’s top chefs partner with Maui farmers to create the ultimate in locally sourced cuisine — dishes will range from glazed lamb lollipops to spicy crab mint tacos with avocado relish. Local wineries will also pair labels as selected by Southern Wine & Spirits. The master of Hawaiian slack-key guitar, Makana, and the state’s top-selling female vocalist of all time, Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, offer the evening’s musical backdrop.
