Kona Coffee Recipe Contest
The KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest is slated for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 11 at Hawaii Community College’s Palamanui campus, 73-4255 Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kailua Kona. You can get to it from Kaiminani Drive, which is the street that runs perpendicular to Queen Kahumanu Highway that feeds into homes in Kona Palisades.
The competition is open to professionals, culinary students, amateurs and keiki, and hopefully you already entered if you were interested as the contest entry deadline was Nov. 2.
After the judging, people will be able to taste the dishes entered, which are in three categories: savory, sweet and keiki.
Please note that the location changed from the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay, which was its home for many years.
The Kona Coffee Festival is a 10-day event that started Nov. 3 in Holualoa Village with a coffee and art stroll. On Friday (Nov. 9) from 10-11 a.m., there is a Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Art Exhibit at the Donkey Mill Art Center. Also starting on Friday are tours of the Kona Historical Society’s Kona Coffee Living History Farm from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Nov. 16. On Friday night, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade through historic Kailua Village begins at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday (Nov. 10), the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon starts at 6:30 a.m. at the Coconut Grove Marketplace. The UCC Kona Coffee Picking and Farm Experience also is slated for Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the UCC Hawaii Kona Coffee Estate.
There are events throughout the week, and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 17, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Ho‘olaulea will be hosted at the Makaeo County Pavilion.
The Kona Coffee Festival is the oldest food festival in America and is a fun annual event. Consider driving over for a day or the week to partake in the festivities.
Christmas with the Chefs
The 30th annual Christmas with the Chefs is scheduled for 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 1 on the seaside grounds of Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
Members of the American Culinary Federation Kona-Kohala Chefs Association will delight attendees with plates of expertly prepared, savory holiday cuisine and delectable holiday treats. There will be handcrafted ales, choice wines and 100 percent Kona coffee.
The Bill Noble Trio, with Jeanine Guillory-Kane on vocals, jazzes up the evening for dancing under the stars fronting historic Kamakahonu Bay.
A silent auction will tempt would-be Santas with an array of holiday gift ideas while supporting local businesses.
In its 30th year, the annual fundraiser benefits local culinary students attending Hawaii Community College-Palamanui and members of the Kona-Kohala Chefs Associating wanting to further their education. The silent auction will benefit the Palamanui program through the association and the Jean Hull Endowment fund.
Originating as Christmas at Hulihee, and moving to various locations throughout the years, the event’s scholarship focus continues and a total of $900,000 in funds have been awarded.
Tickets are $90 and sold online at www.konakohalachefs.org. Tickets also are available at Westside Wines, Kona Coffee &Tea, The Spoon Shop and Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Tables of 10 are $1,250, which includes reserved table seating, service and select bottles of wines, and can be purchased online.
Hawaii Care Choices dinner fundraiser
Hope you already have your tickets for the Hawaii Care Choices annual Holiday Dinner, slated for Dec. 10, as they were almost sold out a few weeks ago.
The guest chef this year is Clayton Arakawa, chef/food and beverage manager at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel &Bungalows.
It promises to be a wonderful evening with a champagne reception and silent auction, elegant dinner and wines and a live auction.
Hawaii Community College at Hilo
Hawaii Community College’s Culinary Arts program in open this week from 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Call 934-2559 for menu selections and takeout orders. For your selection tomorrow, you can choose from Pork Tinono, Beef and Young Corn Stir Fry, Chicken Katsu or Stuffed Cheese Pasta Shells.
Call 934-2559 for pre-orders for your Thanksgiving meal pickups . The prime rib plate is $14.95, the turkey plate with all the fixings is $9.95, 9-inch pumpkin pies are $9.95 and a dozen dinner rolls is $5.
Election Day is today
Exercise your right and get out to vote today. Your vote could make a difference in who our elected officials are!
Email Audrey Wilson at audreywilson808@gmail.com.