Jason Ichiki, executive chef at Roy’s Waikiki, returns to his alma mater to host an Oct. 27 dinner at the Pearl at Leeward Community College.
Ichiki, a graduate of the LCC culinary program, has planned a five-course menu to be carried out by students, representing some of his most popular dishes. Wine pairings will be by master sommelier Chuck Furuya.
The dinner opens with a kampachi crudo, building to an entree of spice-rubbed Niihau Ranch rack of lamb with port wine agrodolce (sweet-sour sauce), served with an Italian wine, Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna “Riserva.”
Cost is $70, $85 with wine pairings. Seatings are 6 to 7:30 p.m. Call 455-0567 or email donaldk@hawaii.edu.
PICK A PUMPKIN
Head to Red Barn Farmstand in Haleiwa this weekend to pick a pumpkin straight from the fields.
Pumpkins, grown on the adjacent Twin Bridge Farms, will be $5 for a medium, $10 for a large.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and until 6 p.m. Sunday. The farm stand is at 66-320 Kamehameha Highway. Call 753-4350 or email aloha@redbarnfarmstand.com.
COOK OKTOBERFEST
The thought of Oktoberfest fare might call to mind sausages and schnitzels, but there are vegan options.
Eileen Towata, an instructor at Adventist Health Castle, leads this month’s cooking demonstration at Castle’s Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine Center, “Oktoberfest — Vegan Style,” 6 p.m. Oct. 26.
Cost is $12, which includes recipes and samples. Reservations required two days in advance. Call 263-5050.
EAT OKTOBERFEST
12th Ave Grill is turning a private dining room into an Oktoberfest beer garden, 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
On the food menu: jagerschnitzel (Pono Farms pork cutlet), mettwurst (apple wood-smoked pork sausage, made in-house), rouladen (Hawaii Ranchers Beef roulade) and more appetizers and side dishes.
On the beer menu: Oktoberfest brews from Ayinger and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Honolulu Beerworks pilsner and Waikiki Brewing Co.’s Hibiscus Saison.
Cost is $65. Call 732-9469.
PUB CRAWL, WITH PUPS
This month’s Bar Crawl at Salt at Our Kaka‘ako will include a chance to donate to the Hawaiian Humane Society.
The crawl starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at Village Bottle Shop & Tasting Room, Moku Kitchen and Bevy Bar.
Featured will be beers from Honolulu Beerworks, Waikiki Brewing Co., Beer Lab HI, Aloha Beer Co., Lanikai Brewing, Inu Island Ales and Home of the Brave Brewing Co.
The Humane Society will have a booth to collect donations, provide information and offer photos with “dog ambassadors.”
Visit saltatkakaako.com.
DOUGHNUTS COME TO CAMPUS
Dunkin’ Donuts opens its second Hawaii location Thursday inside Paradise Palms Cafe on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, with a nearly all-student staff.
A grand opening will follow at 7 a.m. Monday, with samples and prize giveaways all day.
Hours: 7 to 5 p.m. weekdays.
CELEBRATE CACAO AND COFFEE
Spending a few days on the Garden Isle? The Kauai Chocolate & Coffee Festival takes place Friday and Saturday in the town of Hanapepe.
The street festival on Hanepepe Road includes samples, entertainment and exhibits focused on chocolate and coffee products from around the state. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Admission is free. A passport — $12 in advance, $18 at the door — includes chocolate and coffee samples plus a tote bag. Go to KauaiChocolateandCoffeeFestival.com.
Quickbites is a weekly listing of dining events. Email items to crave@staradvertiser.com.
