PRIZE-WINNING BAKER SHARES SKILLS
Bryson Perkins, an award-winning cake decorator on the national and world stage, is launching a series of pop-up workshops, setting the first in his hometown of Kailua-Kona.
Calling his new venture the Kitchen Takeover Tour, Perkins plans to visit at least eight cities across the country this year, he said in a phone interview. His partners will keep running Triolo’s Bakery in New Hampshire, where Perkins made a name for himself in 2012 with dazzling cake designs.
“I wanted to try my hand at something totally different and I believe this is super-challenging,” he said.
His first pop-up, Tuesday at the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, sold out right away. He will teach kids to decorate cupcakes and cookies for $40. Adults will tackle more advanced decorating techniques for $130.
Future sessions will comprise six classes over three days, making the Kona stop an abridged version. “This is more a thank you to my hometown,” Perkins said.
The schedule is not yet firm, although he said he does plan a session in Honolulu, and workshops for professionals in Texas, New York and Florida.
Perkins said he’s retired from competition after garnering more than 100 awards for his elaborate masterpieces of icing. In 2017, he won the Grand National Wedding Cake Competition at the 24th Annual Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show; and later that year took second place in the Cake Designers World Championship in Milan, Italy, representing the U.S.
In 2016, he was named to Dessert Professional magazine’s list of Top Ten Cake Artists in North America and the New York Cake Show’s list of Top 10 International Cake Artists.
— Pat Gee, Star-Advertiser
DOWNBEAT DINER DEBUTS NEW COCKTAILS
A new year means new craft cocktails at Downbeat Diner and Lounge, 42 N. Hotel Street.
Downbeat has long been known for its diner-style fare with vegan and vegetarian options, but the drinks also hold their own among downtown bars.
Go big with a Big Island Iced Tea ($10), a plantation-style twist on the boozy classic made with gin, rum, tequila, pineapple juice, triple sec and sour mix. Or try Downbeat’s Lilikoi Sour ($9), which uses Old Forester bourbon alongside housemade lilikoi syrup. The Lavender Tom Collins ($9) showcases housemade lavender syrup combined with Fid Street Hawaiian gin.
Visit from 4 to 7 p.m. daily during happy hour and save $1 on all cocktails. Call 533-2328.
— Jason Genegabus, Star-Advertiser
POOCHES WELCOME AT QUEEN KAPIOLANI
If a walk around Kapiolani Park is routine for you and your pup, the Queen Kapiolani Hotel is inviting you both to stop by, sit a spell and have a cup of coffee.
As the Legislature ponders a bill that would allow pets in restaurants, the hotel is making a point of opening its lobby to canine companions. The lobby is a common area, not a dining area, so pets are permitted there under current law.
The new, open-air Knots Coffee Roasters in the lobby offers caffeinated sustenance for humans and Calvin & Susie treats for dogs. Customers can ask for a free serving of Ahi Jerky, Chicki Jerky or Coconut Bones. The made-in-Hawaii treats can also be purchased; Calvin & Susie donates the profits to its nonprofit Hawaii Animal Foundation, supporting unwanted, neglected and abused animals.
Knots Coffee Roasters is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, until 9 p.m. Sundays. Call 931-4482. The hotel is at 150 Kapahulu Ave. in Waikiki.
Mondays to Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m. are Industry Nights: Hospitality-industry employees drink and eat for half price. A business card or work ID is required from an employer such as a hotel, restaurant, airline or travel agency.
‘MASTERCHEF JUNIOR’ SEEKS CONTESTANTS
Kitchen whiz kids are invited to try out for Fox-TV’s cooking competition “MasterChef Junior.”
Pre-registration for the new season runs through Saturday; fill out an application at masterchefjunior casting.com. The producers also “highly encourage” submitting an introductory video of two minutes or less.
Candidates must be age 8 to 13 as of April 29. They also must attend an open casting call — the closest being in Los Angeles March 16 — or submit a home video. Top prize in the competition is $100,000.
Last season’s competition included two young chefs from Hawaii — Sophia Stark and Noelani Gray. The winner was Beni Cwiakala, then 9 years old, from Chicago.
