First Taste Awards to honor innovation
Individuals and companies will be recognized for their contributions to the local food manufacturing industry at the first Taste Awards.
The event, sponsored by the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association and the state Department of Agriculture, is set for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 14 in Dole Cannery’s Pomaika’i Ballrooms.
Attendees will watch a "Battle of the Chefs" before a formal dinner, during which winners will be announced in categories of Governor’s Lifetime Achievement, Innovate Hawaii Manufacturer of the Year, Start-up Manufacturer of the Year, Product of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Community Service and Innovative Marketing.
Tickets are $100. Visit foodsofhawaii.com or call 422-4362. A list of nominees can be viewed at the website.
Proceeds benefit the Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts Program.
Forage for lunch in urban Honolulu
Nat Bletter of Madre Chocolate will lead a hunt for edible treasures at a Slow Food O’ahu foraging event Sunday in urban Honolulu.
Bletter’s group will look for food from trees and plants along the trek; he says participants will make a salad from wild collected greens if they find enough.
Participants should bring utensils and a bowl, wear sun protection and bring water.
The event runs 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $15. Reserve a spot at hsalinks.com/1pzENsg by Friday. Location and other details will be emailed.
Another accolade for coffee company
Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation was among six finalists in the Specialty Coffee Association of America Roasters Choice competition held in April in Seattle.
Owner and roaster Trent Bateman submitted the plantation’s Cloud Forest Estate coffee for judging.
In July, Mountain Thunder won the statewide cupping contest, and in November, the Kona Coffee Cultural Cupping Contest.
Naked Cow offers peek inside dairy
Naked Cow Dairy is offering a variety of tours on its Waianae farm.
The Basic Tour ($10, $7 children) features games for keiki, feeding of a dairy cow, information about cows and their products and chickens and their eggs, and a cheese and butter tasting.
The Extra Tour ($15) adds a session watching how cows are milked and cheese or butter is made.
The Deluxe Tour ($150) pairs the Basic Tour with a cheese- or butter-making class (take home what you make) and lunch.
Private tours ($50) are available for those 21 or older, comprising the Basic Tour and a wine and cheese tasting.
For reservations email info@nakedcowdairyhawaii.com. For information visit the company’s Facebook page.
