Vegan events on the calendar
Vegans are finally having their day as interest in the cuisine brings forth more classes and dinners. Upcoming events:
» Chef Ori Ann Li, author of "Ori Ann Li’s Vegan Paradise: 65 Unforgettable Recipes," a collection of Asian and fusion dishes, presents a cooking demonstration Tuesday. Li has garnered fame on the Internet for her cuisine, which balances flavor and nutrition. The free demo runs 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse, 404 Kapahulu Ave. Call 944-8344.
» Go green with your cuisine: Chef Leslie Ashburn will show you how at a cooking demonstration of fresh green juice, curried kale with coconut, lentil stew with greens, and pumpkin seed pesto. The class runs 4 to 6:30 p.m. March 17 at the newly opened Cookspace Hawaii at Ward Warehouse. Cost is $45 for reservations by March 14, $55 thereafter. Register online at www.macrobiotichawaii.com and click on "Upcoming Events."
» Church of the Crossroads offers a gourmet vegan, gluten-free community dinner, 6 to 8 p.m. March 20. On the menu: leek and corn miso soup with watercress garnish, farmer’s pie topped with kabocha- millet mash, spring salad with Dijon tarragon vinaigrette, cucumber and red onion salad, and caramel rice pudding. Cost is $20 advance, $22 at the door. To-go meals will be available. Make reservations by March 17 atmacrocommhi@hawaii.rr.com.
Chefs lend talents to food bank
Some of Hawaii’s top chefs are sharing their culinary talents on behalf of the Hawaii Foodbank for the "Great Chefs Fight Hunger" benefit March 23. The agency feeds 183,500 residents statewide.
Diners will also enjoy fine wines, a beer tasting, martinis and sake samples.
The dinner features cuisine and beverages from 12th Ave. Grill, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, SALT Kitchen & Tasting Bar, Chef Chai at Pacifica Honolulu, Himalayan Kitchen, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, d.k. Steak House, Hokulani Bake Shop, Southern Wine & Spirits, HASR Bistro, Le Bistro, Taste, Halekulani Hotel & Dining, Morimoto Waikiki, The Whole Ox Butcher & Deli, Henry Loui’s Restaurant, Paradise Beverages, Y. Hata & Co., Roy’s Ko Olina and Young’s Market Co. of Hawaii.
The event will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the food bank, 2611 Kilihau St.
Tickets are $150; VIP early entry is $200, and VIP early entry tables for 10 are $2,500. Purchase at 836-3600, ext. 244, or online at www.hawaiifoodbank.org.
Poke contest deadline looms
Sam Choy’s annual poke contest deadline is fast approaching, so submit your recipes in the next couple days in the categories of traditional, spicy, cooked, poke with soy sauce, non-seafood and sushi-style. The deadline is Friday.
Visit www.samchoyskeauhoupokecontest.org for entry form. Entry fee is $15 for amateurs, $30 for professionals and free for culinary students.
The event itself, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17 at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay, will include a celebrity cook-off, poke tastings and a poke-making demonstration by Choy himself.
Admission is $5, with proceeds going toward future culinary instruction facilities at Hawaii Community College Palamanui.
Irish ball aids scholarship fund
Partake of a traditional Irish menu at the Friends of St. Patrick Annual Emerald Ball from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Japanese Cultural Center.
Tickets are $75; make reservations by today by emailing bill@ejlounge.com. Call 223-3997 for late ticket purchases. The center is at 2454 S. Beretania St.
The ball benefits the Friends of St. Patrick Scholarship Fund.
» Also: Taste an array of Irish whiskeys at another benefit for the Friends of St. Patrick at O’Toole’s Irish Pub, 902 Nuuanu Ave., at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $25. Call 521-4712.
Hawaii eateries make top lists
Various isle restaurants have been ranked tops in service by travelers.
La Mer at Halekulani and Chef Mavro were among the top 100 best restaurants for service in OpenTable’s 2013 Diners’ Choice Awards. OpenTable is an online provider of restaurant reservations.
On Gogobot, an app that gives users access to a social travel network, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck was voted onto "Most Loved Global" and "Cheap Eats" lists. Rainbow Drive-In made "Best Brunch," while Tiki’s Bar & Grill and Side Street Inn made the "Family Favorites" category. Mama’s Fish House was voted No. 1 most romantic restaurant.
