Garden Island Range & Food Festival — Sweet and Savory, with a Dash of Scholarship

Foods receive exquisite preparation. Executive Chef Leanne Kamekona served braised BBQ beef brisket, Hawaiian purple sweet potatoes and Asian pear kim chee slaw in anise oil. This year, she returns with a new dish and a new place of employment — the St. Regis Princeville Resort. Photo by Anne E. O’Malley

Kaua`i’s Locavore Pa`ina

by Anne E. O’Malley

It’s time for Kaua`i’s Locavore Pa`ina. The 4th Annual Garden Island Range and Food Festival is modeled after the annual Taste of the Hawaiian Range on the Big Island, an event that’s grown in popularity over the last 16 years.

This Kaua`i version of a feast of food grown, raised, harvested and prepared on island in delicious recipes is popular, too. It’s one of a series of initiatives born out of the larger nonprofit organization, Kaua`i Agricultural Initiative, founded in 2009 by For Kaua`i Publisher Barbara Bennett. Her intent was to encourage an increase in locally grown food, raise awareness of sustainability and green issues, benefit the growth of the food industry here and more.

In preparation, participating chefs receive a cut of meat and/or produce prior to the event and create their recipes. On the day itself, attendees graze their way through Kilohana Lua`u Pavilion, rubbing shoulders with the farmers and ranchers who provide the Kaua`i-grown products for the feast.

And neatly tucked into the festival is yet another point of sustainability — home-grown future chefs. The even considers the awarding of two, $1,000 scholarships to outstanding KCC culinary arts students an important link  to the future.

Last year, three KCC Culinary Arts Institute students won scholarships at the GIR&FF. L-R: Patricia Bishop, Kaimana Delapenia and Alyssa Chow-Cabinatan. Photo by Anne E. O’Malley

Read more about in the special tabloid insert included in the November issue. You can download the PDF from the home page by clicking on the “Magazine PDF” button in the menu above.

GIR&FF in brief

What: The 4thannual Garden Island Range & Food Festival with the theme “A Family Affair.”

When and Where: Sunday, November 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 pm. at Kilohana Lu`au Pavilion

Why: For the community of Kaua`i to experience and enjoy a sustainable model of collaboration among local farmers, ranchers and chefs in preparing and promoting the concept of nutritious and delicious locavore dining.

Highlights: 18 food stations with offerings ranging from sweet to savory, created by top-notch, top-name chefs; ancient Hawaiian games in celebration of makahiki festival time for keiki; live music; drawings for prizes, awarding culinary scholarships; dozens of booths and more.

How much: $35 per adults; $17.50 per child; free for children under 5 years of age.

Tickets: See special tabloid insert for locations. Or purchase online at www.kauaifoodfestival.com.

Contact: 635-0257 or 635-0267