George Yoshida and Derek Kurisu have entertained cablevision audiences since 1999 with their zany antics and prowess in preparing local-style dishes with ease.
George Yoshida and Derek Kurisu have entertained cablevision audiences since 1999 with their zany antics and prowess in preparing local-style dishes with ease.
Thus, many of the recipes contained in the duo’s latest cookbook — “No-Sweat Cooking!” — are flavored with techniques such as “any man can cook,” “one-minute cooking” and even “slam-’em together gourmet cooking,” stemming from their popular video show telecast daily throughout the Big Island.
“Because of its simplicity, we guarantee that this cookbook will certainly come in handy for lazy housewives, lazy husbands, senior citizens, college students, bachelors and those suddenly finding themselves in situations where they need to fend for themselves and prepare their own meals,” the duo said. “It is also great for those who just don’t have the time to create dishes requiring the gathering of special herbs, spices and ingredients.
“We thank you for purchasing this cookbook and hope it will bring to you many satisfying, old-fashioned dishes created with little or no sweat!”
The new cookbook is available for purchase at all KTA stores on the Big Island.
Yoshida grew up in Hilo as one of four siblings raised on hot dogs, saimin, hamburgers and chocolate fudge. Vegetarian foods such as eggplant, pumpkin, bittermelon, nishime, squash and tofu were definitely not among his favorites.
Yoshida’s background includes 32 years of government service as organizer of many Big Island senior citizen programs, and serving as Hawaii County’s director of Parks and Recreation for eight years under mayors Bernard Akana and Steve Yamashiro. He also served as a teacher and coach for five years at various Hawaii public schools.
Today, with all the experience gained from working with seniors, he loves to experiment and cook up “any kine” local dishes — especially for his appreciative neighbors, wife and grandchildren.
Besides cooking, his interests include coaching softball, raising the best warabi (fiddle head fern), detailing cars, serving as editor of a retirees newsletter, performing as a karaoke singing star, being a photographer, as well as a videographer, and even watching Food Network cooking shows and Korean dramas.
Kurisu, on the other hand, was born and raised in the small sugar plantation town of Hakalau, where he grew up among friends of different races and cultures.
Kurisu has worked for KTA Super Stores, sponsors of the local public cablevision show, for more than 40 years, starting off as a porter, stock clerk and meat cutter through his high school and college days.
Today, Kurisu serves as the executive vice president of KTA and is respected as a marketing genius. He created a variety of programs, such as the store’s “Mountain Apple” brand, to help local farmers and entrepreneurs get established in marketing their products. Kurisu also established the “Living in Paradise” show to showcase the Big Island’s greatest asset — its people.
As a motivational speaker, he has been featured at various workshops, graduations, conferences and the like.
Kurisu also is a champion when it comes to education and teaching core values to the younger generation. He has appeared numerous times on statewide television, demonstrating his cooking prowess, as well as promoting and supporting Hawaii’s agricultural industry.
He also is a staunch supporter of local self-sustenance.