Event goers know that it is the time of year again for the sixth annual Wailea Food and Wine Celebration, a fundraiser for Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center.
The Hotel Wailea returns as host, setting an elegant stage in its vaulted Anuhea Room from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.
"It really is one of the best food and wine events on the island," says Hui artist Jim Powlan, who with his boss, Charles Fredy of Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants, always select the wines.
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The stunning Anuhea Room with its vaulted ceilings and outdoor water features at Hotel Wailea will set the stage Friday for the Wailea Food & Wine Celebration that benefits the Hui No‘eau.
"There are so many great wines to try, none of which are your basic supermarket variety," Powlan continues. "And, since we only sell 150 tickets, the participating chefs make some really creative food versus at some of the larger events."
The participating wineries will include Shafer, Paul Hobbs, Turley and Ramey, just to name a few.
In addition, this year there will be some wines from Paso Robles, Calif., which you would normally not see on Maui, courtesy of Maureen Herrera of the Wine Country Pack and Ship there.
"The restaurant chefs this year will each be preparing two dishes as they try to outdo each other," says Powlan.
Capische?, the signature restaurant at the Hotel Wailea, will serve olive-oil poached fresh opakapaka drizzled with a vinaigrette of white anchovy; as well a braised pork cheek tortellini with Haiku-tomato ragu and ricotta gremolata.
The chef-owners from Three's Bar & Grill in Kihei will do grilled-and-chilled shrimp cocktail, freshly shucked Penn Cove oysters with a mignonette of pomegranate and soy; and bacon-wrapped lamb and foie gras roulade with crispy goat-cheese polenta and blackberry-ancho chile compote in veal and Madeira reduction.
Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea will do kale salad and poke tacos; 5 Palms Kihei will be on a roll with fresh sushi and one other menu item; and Spago located lobby level of Four Seasons Resort Maui will braise short ribs with turnip gremolata; and do sweet-corn risotto with parmigiano reggiano.
Other participating restaurants are Honu Seafood & Pizza in Lahaina; and Soup to Nuts Catering in Wailuku.
Hotel Wailea chips in with the space and all of the food, wine and labor are donated, so 100 percent of the proceeds go directly back to the Hui No'eau.
"I can't tell you how lucky Maui is to have a facility like the Hui with its open studios and classes for children as well as adults. Many people cannot afford their own studios and this is the place for people of all ages to meet share ideas and be creative," Powlan says. "Please support the Hui by joining us and enjoying good company and the best of food and wine Maui has to offer."
Cost is $150 ($100 is tax deductible). For tickets, call 572-6560.
