“A Taste of Hilo” is back.
The 25th annual celebration of food is returning to Sangha Hall next month.
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce &Industry of Hawaii will present “A Taste of Hilo,” East Hawaii’s premier culinary event, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.
This will be the first in-person “A Taste of Hilo” since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the event has not been held in its traditional format since 2019, JCCIH has been able to host an online silent auction for the past three years.
Attendees this year can enjoy a wide variety of dishes and drinks prepared by some of Hawaii Island’s finest food and beverages purveyors.
“A Taste of Hilo” serves as a fundraiser for JCCIH and Hawaii Community College, and JCCIH has donated over $200,000 to the school since the event began.
“We are excited to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of ‘A Taste of Hilo,’” said Jan Abundo, chair of the event’s committee. “This promises to be a fun, festive event, and we look forward to coming together as a community to support Hawaii Community College and our local food and beverage industry.”
This year’s featured chef is Victor Palma, the executive chef at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort. Palma will be preparing braised short ribs with ancho chile and black garlic puree, crunchy quinoa and porcini powder.
During his two-decade career, Palma has led renowned culinary programs at numerous resorts in the United States and Mexico.
Demonstrating pride in his heritage, Palma said he recognizes the parallels between his Mexican roots and Hawaii’s culture of genuine hospitality, culinary traditions, and the human connections that are formed through food.
There also will be an online silent auction the week before the event beginning on Monday, Oct. 9. Throughout the week, people can bid on a wide variety of items donated by local businesses.
Items and experiences up for bid include rounds of golf, hotel stays, restaurant gift cards, snorkel and zipline tours, and more. Auction items can be picked up at the event Oct. 15.
In celebration of 25 years of “A Taste of Hilo,” embroidered merchandise honoring this milestone is available to order through Creative Arts Hawaii. A portion from every store item sold will benefit Hawaii Community College.
More information about the silent auction and merchandise, as well as presale tickets for $75, can be found on the website at tasteofhilo.org.
This year’s vendors are: Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawaii, Cafe Pesto, Coca-Cola Bottling of Hawaii, Cupcakes Boom!, Hawaii Community College, Culinary Arts, Hawaii Island Gourmet Products, Hilo Brewing Co., Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Hilo Medical Center, Islander Sake, Jaw Jackers, Johnson Brothers of Hawaii, Kilauea Lodge, Lucky’s Lunch Shop, Maebo Noodle Factory, Maona’s Inc., Nani Mau, Ola Brew Co., Oyatsu Hawaii, Pepsi Beverages Company, Republic National Distribution Company, Short N Sweet Bakery &Deli, Sodexo, Sweet Cane Cafe, Tenkatori Hilo, The Cherry Company, Volcano Winery, and Waiakea Water.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.