A taste of the Beard House

Only the nation’s finest chefs are invited to cook at the prestigious James Beard House in New York, and a number of Hawaii chefs have had the honor. Now, thanks to events on Oahu and Maui, local diners will get to taste some of the dishes that have been or will soon be presented there.

>> Azure Restaurant (Sept. 1): At The Royal Hawaiian, chef Shaymus Alwin will present a preview of his upcoming Sept. 9 Beard House dinner, which includes Keahole lobster and brioche, Jerusalem artichoke vichyssoise and Kauai shrimp, Hawaii Ranchers rib-eye and Meli Kalima pineapple butter rum cake.

The 6 p.m. dinner is $120 ($160 with wine pairing), with part of the proceeds going to the James Beard House Foundation, which provides education and promotes America’s culinary heritage. For reservations, visit Open Table or call Azure general manager Dante Camara at 341-5709.

For information on the Sept. 9 Beard House dinner, visit jamesbeard.org and click on “Events.”

>> Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort (Sept. 9):Andaz Maui executive chef Isaac Bancaco and chefs de cuisine Ritchard Cariaga and Mi Jin Kang will serve five courses from the meal they presented at Beard House on May 19.

The grazing dinner will include a pupu station with items such as a watermelon and watercress salad served with Surfing Goat Dairy cheese and walnuts; a pulehu station with hee (octopus) and Kauai shrimp; a poke station featuring ahi and yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls); a protein station that includes pork belly and wagyu preparations; and desserts such as poi mochi with Haleakala caramel and Waialua Estate chocolate. Handcrafted cocktails and wine are also on the menu.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $150; call 573-4703.