MEALANI A TASTE OF THE HAWAIIAN RANGE

The 14th Mealani A Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival offers a full lineup of onolicious fun and learning opportunities Friday, Sept. 18 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Over 30 of the state’s premier chefs are set to dazzle diners during the Taste “grazing” extravaganza. Open to the public 6-8 p.m., Taste features heavy sampling of delectable dishes using local grass-fed beef, pork and lamb—plus a bounty of fresh, island-grown fruit and veggies. In addition, attendees can meet Hawai‘i’s food producers at gaily- decorated vendor booths and talk story with the farmers and ranchers who make a living growing our food. Tickets are $40 presale and $80 at the door. At 4 p.m., learn how to use local, pasture-raised beef at a culinary demonstration: “How to Cook Grass-Fed Beef 101” by Chefs Jackie Lau and Ronnie Nasuti of Roy’s Restaurants-Hawaii. The demonstration is open to the public and attendees will receive a takeaway recipe and cooking tips. Tickets are $10 for the hour-long cooking demo. True to its roots, Mealani A Taste of the Hawaiian Range continues to showcase Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry by offering two, informative trade-related activities. New this year is a noon seminar presented by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Kona Kohala Chefs Association. “It’s All About Taste” will delve into the different kinds of locally raised beef, plus explore meat and island-grown fruit parings. The seminar is open to restaurant personnel, culinary students, retail buyers and the media. To register for “It’s All About Taste,” contact Michelle Galimba at 808-430-4927 or mgalimba@kuahiwiranch.com. Following “It’s All About Taste” is the 1-3 p.m. Agriculture Festival, a trade show that debuted last year to hook up food producers with isle chefs, retail buyers and media. For info on the expo, and to register for the Cooking 101 demonstration, contact University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Agronomist Susan Miyasaka at 808-981-5199 ext. 258 or miyasaka@hawaii.edu. Tickets for Taste can be purchased islandwide at UH CTAHR locations: Komohana Ag Complex in Hilo, 808-981-5199; the Kamuela Extension Office in Waimea, 808-887-6183 and the Kona Extension Office in Kainaliu, 808-322-4892. Tickets are also on sale at Parker Ranch Store and Kamuela Liquors in Waimea, Kuhio Grille in Hilo, JJ’s Country Market in Honoka‘a, the Pahala Plantation Store in Ka‘u, the Kona Wine Market in Kailua-Kona and the Hilton Waikoloa Village Kohala Essence Shop. Mealani A Taste of the Hawaiian Range provides a venue for sustainable agricultural education, encouragement and support of locally produced ag products. The premiere ag tourism event is a partnership between CTAHR, Big Island Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Kulana Foods and community volunteers. Sponsorship also includes the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Hawaii County Research and Development, the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association and KTA SuperStores. The quality and growth of this event are rooted in small business participation, sponsorship and in-kind donations. For more information, visit http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/taste.