$350,000 donation benefits 16 groups | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / SEPT. 12
Chef Bert S. Agor Jr. served up a Hawaiian beef stew grilled cheese sandwich at the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival’s “Corks and Forks” event. The festival raised money for local organizations

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This year’s Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival, a two-week culinary gala in September, benefited 16 organizations with a total of $350,000. Checks were presented Tuesday at Neiman Marcus’ Mariposa Restaurant.

The recipients were: Culinary Institute of the Pacific ($80,000), Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation ($70,000), Imua Family Services ($50,000), Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts Program ($30,000), Leeward Community College Culinary Arts Program ($25,000), Maui County Farm Bureau ($20,000), Hawaii Island Community College Culinary Arts Program ($10,000), Kapiolani Community College Hospitality and Tourism Program ($10,000), Paepae o He‘eia ($10,000), Papahana Kuaola ($10,000), Maui Culinary Academy ($7,500), Hawaii Seafood Council ($7,500), Honolulu Zoo Conservation Fund ($7,500), Aloha United Way Young Leaders Program ($5,000), Kako‘o ‘Oiwi ($5,000) and Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation ($2,500).

Over the past five years, the fest has given more than $1.3 million to local beneficiaries.

This year’s events featured 101 chefs, four master sommeliers, 35 top-tier winemakers and 16 mixologists. Students from the state’s various culinary programs worked alongside world-class chefs during events. More than 7,400 residents and visitors attended 21 events on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island.

The 2016 festival is scheduled for Oct. 14 to 30. Visit hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.