Rhee’s classes have Asian flavor

Walter Rhee continues his popular cooking classes and downtown tours this month. Cooking classes are $80. Reservations required; call 391-1550 or e-mail walter@waltereatshawaii.com.

» "The Only Korean Cooking Class You Will Ever Need" (2:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday): Learn the basics of making beef bulgogi, barbecue pork, Korean rice dumpling soup (ttuck guek), spicy fried rice cake (ttuck bokki), chap chae, fresh sauteed spicy cucumber (oi moochim) and Korean sauce for raw fish.

» "Ultrafast Meals in 19 Minutes or Less" (2:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 26): Cook Asian dishes such as broiled chicken wings in Singapore sauce, moo shu pork, vegetarian pad thai, Oriental steak, Peking chicken, shrimp and eggs, Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce, and ma po tofu.

» "Cook’s Tour of Chinatown" (8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 26, $40): Get familiar with the fruits, veggies, seafood, meat, herbs and spices of Asian cooking.

» "Taste of Chinatown Eateries Tour" (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26, $80): Get an insider’s guide of where to go, what to eat and how to eat it, all while learning about the history, culture and food science behind the foods. Wear comfy walking shoes and loose pants!

Maui series talks local producers

Slow Food Maui and Maui Culinary Academy are offering a nine-part "taste education" series centered on the island’s food producers.

Sessions are held on the last Wednesday of each month, starting Feb. 23, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Leis Family Class Act Restaurant at Maui Culinary Academy.

Fee is $15 a session; the complete series is $125. Limited seating; call 243-2290 or e-mail info@slowfoodmaui.org.

The lineup:

» Feb. 23: Coffee, from seed to cup, presented by Kupa’a Farm and the Maui Coffee Growers Association

» March 30: Mixology featuring Maui Vodka

» April 27: Sorbets and gelato with Penguini Gelato in Paia

» May 25: Chocolate with Sweet Paradise Chocolatier

» June 29: Organic, grass-fed Maui beef from Beef and Blooms

» July 27: Field trip to Maui Brewing Co.

» Aug. 31: Fish with Whole Foods Market, Maui

» Sept. 28: Raising poultry chickens

» Oct. 26: Planning a dinner party, with Catering From Soup to Nuts

Space available in imu fundraiser

The Kailua High School Polynesian Club plans to spend a weekend tending an imu and is offering space inside for trays of food.

Food goes into the underground oven on March 4, emerging the next morning steamed full of luau flavor.

Cost is $20 per large aluminum tray. Food — such as whole turkeys (leave cavity empty), roasts or pork butt (meat chunks should have three deep cuts in them), sweet potatoes, taro or luau leaves — must be thawed, seasoned and well wrapped in foil. Drop in pan and wrap again in foil. Weight limit per tray is 25 pounds.

Reservations due by Feb. 25. Make checks payable to Kailua High School and send to the school, 451 Ulumanu Drive, Kailua 96734. Write "Attention IMU" in lower left corner of the envelope. Include your name, telephone number and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so a confirmation ticket can be sent to you. To be included in an e-mail list for future imu, provide e-mail address as well.

Call 728-7389.

Castle hosts demo on cooking

Chef Rebecca Woodland demonstrates how to make delicious, healthy fare at "Eat, Love and Live Longer," 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 23, at Castle Medical Center’s Wellness Center auditorium.

Eat samples and take home recipes of Woodland’s prepared dishes.

Cost is $15, $20 per couple and $10 seniors and students. Payment and reservations are required at least two days in advance. Call 263-5400 or register online at www.castlemed.org.