Po‘ipu Food & Wine Festival at Kukui‘ula through Sunday

The four-day Po‘ipu Food & Wine Festival at The Shops at Kukui‘ula is going until Sunday, with several activities planned for food, wine and music lovers.

The festival kicked off Wednesday with the Kaua‘i Community College Culinary Arts program at the Kaua‘i Culinary Market. On Thursday, the festival offered hands-on cooking class with some of Po‘ipu’s top chefs in their own restaurants, including Merriman’s, Tortilla Republic and Eating House 1849 by Roy Yamaguchi.

Today, the festival continues with The Flavors of Kukui‘ula, featuring music from top island artists, local delicacies served street-food style along with outdoor beer and wine gardens at a festive pau hana party.

The Flavors of Kukui‘ula will feature chefs as the “headliners,” with culinary demonstrations by Merriman’s Fish House spotlighting Koloa Rum concoctions, Chef Ben of The Club at Kukui‘ula with Waimea High School Culinary Team, and world-renowned Chef Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurant and Eating House 1849. Demonstrations beginning at 5:30 p.m., and they are free, with food for purchase.

On Saturday, Sip & Shop, will feature a commemorative Poipu Food & Wine Festival glass, available for purchase for $25, then enjoy complimentary pours from Kaua‘i Island Brewing Co., The Wine Shop and Living Foods, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Palm Court of the Shops at Kukui‘ula along with an exclusive shopping passport. There you will also enjoy music and fashion, Po‘ipu-style. Take a stroll through the village and enjoy special treats and shopping incentives from participating shops and galleries found in your passport. A portion of the proceeds to benefit the KCC Culinary Arts Program.

On Sunday, the festival’s last day, enjoy the Let’s Do Brunch, a special fundraising event for KCC Culinary Arts Program where some of Kaua‘i’s finest chefs will get together to create a delicious outdoor brunch at The Shops at Kukui‘ula’s Palm Court. Enjoy specialties of The Eating House 1849, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i’s Ilima Terrace, Keoki’s Paradise, Koa Kea Resort, Lappert’s Hawai‘i, Living Foods Gourmet Market, Café & Juice Bar, Po‘ipu Beach Athletic Club, Tortilla Republic, Savage Shrimp and The Wine Shop. Each attendee will receive a signature cookbook featuring recipes from the chefs participating in the Po‘ipu Food & Wine Festival. Tickets are $75 per person, or $100 per person for reserved seating (tables 4-8 persons) with table service.

Besides being included with each ticket to the Let’s Do Brunch event, the commemorative cookbook, designed specifically for the Po‘ipu Food & Wine Festival, are available for purchase at $10 each during the festival and at the Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 31-Nov. 04. To request a copy to be delivered via USPS, complete the form at www.poipufoodandwinefestival.com/cookbook.