Once again, top Hawaii chefs will gather to pay tribute to the Maui Onion. Bring your appetites and the kids, as there will be a day of fun for the whole family.
"On Saturday, May 7, the Whalers Village Fine Shops and Restaurants in Kaanapali will host the 22nd annual Maui Onion Festival," says organizer Lisa Donlon, who also serves as the mall's marketing manager. "The fun kicks off at 9:45 a.m., featuring celebrity chefs and free food samplings, the best Maui Onion recipe contest, keiki and adult raw Maui Onion eating contests, food and product booths, local music, entertainment, retail offerings and free parking. These activities will continue throughout the day, wrapping up at 9 p.m."
This year's visiting emcee will be Manolo Morales of KHON 2- TV, who will tell the crowds all about the Maui Onion, aka the "Maui Kula Onion."
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Last year’s winner in the Maui Onion Recipe Contest was Chef James McDonald of Pacific’o, I’o and Feast at Lele restaurants on Front Street in Lahaina. This year, celebrity chefs will include Roy Yamaguchi, Brian Etheredge, DK Kodama and more.
Reflections Photography photo
"It's a golden-pale globe with a mild and crunchy flesh,"says Donlon. "The Maui Kula Onion embodies premium quality, belongs to the sweetest onions in the world, and is grown on about 150 acres in cool, fertile Kula. Its name is trademarked to safeguard authenticity."
A handpicked selection of top Hawaii chefs will pay homage by presenting fun and educational demonstrations throughout the daylong festival.
The first chef demonstration scheduled will be last year's winner of the Maui Onion Recipe Contest. James McDonald of I'o, Pacific'o and Feast at Lele restaurants on Front Street in Lahaina will kick things off starting at 10 a.m.
Fact Box
* Where: Outdoors at the Whalers Village Fine Shops & Restaurants on Kaanapali Beach.
* When: From 9:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 7.
* Contests: The keiki Maui Onion eating contest will be held at noon; and the adult version will be at 4 p.m. The professional Maui Onion Recipe Contest will be at 3 p.m.
* Emcee: Manolo Morales of KHON 2-TV in Honolulu.
* Maui Onion Challenge: From now until May 6, order a special onion pupu priced at $9.99 at any one of eight Kaanapali restaurants, vote on your favorite and get a chance to win a trip for two to any nonstop destination served by Alaska Airlines.
* Crunch away: The Maui Onion Growers will deep-fry golden Kula rings. There will be plenty of other food to buy, too.
Then James Beard Award-winner Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's restaurants will wow the crowds at 11 a.m., followed by Chef DK Kodama of Cane & Taro in Kaanapali and Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar in Kihei and Kapalua, who will make onlookers hungry at 1 p.m.
Taking the stage at 2 p. m. will be Brian Etheredge of Capische? at Hotel Wailea. His restaurant was just voted the top on Maui by another local publication. Then Chef Eric Arbogast of Cuarto will do his demo at 5 p.m. and last but certainly not least at 6 p.m. will be Chef David Paul Johnson of David Paul's Island Grill.
But the fun doesn't stop there. Both the Center Stage and the Beachfront Lawn will be a whirlwind of activity.
"Kicking off the fun at the Beachfront Lawn will be the Tahitian hula show at 10 a.m." says Donlon. "Following that will be Cooking with Cutty Cutler at 11 a.m. There is no better time for keiki and parents to learn how to make fresh Hawaiian smoothies. At 1 p.m., the Air Force Band of the Pacific will perform, followed by magician Brenton Keith at 2 p.m. Benoit JazzWorks is on at 3 p.m., Island Sounds with local favorites at 5 p.m. and Ribbon on Knowledge at 6 p.m. The Air Force Band will top it off with its encore performance at 7 p.m."
Back at the Center Stage at 3 p.m., all of the above-mentioned chefs will gather for the Maui Onion Recipe Contest. The 2011 judges include Chris Speere, program coordinator, Maui Culinary Academy; Shannon Wianecki, associate editor, Maui No Ka Oi magazine; yours truly; and Michael Horn, host of "What's Cooking Today" on CRN Digital Talk Radio, a radio show that reaches 11 million homes nationwide.
During this time, festival organizers will announce the winner of the Maui Onion Challenge and the trip for two from Alaska Airlines. It's new this year and diners may try and vote on appetizers at eight Kaanapali restaurants to win.
Continuing the fun will be the adult and keiki Maui Onion eating contests at noon and 4 p.m. The Maui Onion Growers Association will be there all day, frying their golden onion rings.
Crunch away!
