By Vanessa Wolf

Chef Michael Young. Photo courtesy Grand Wailea.

Beginning next week, the Grand Wailea will be hosting a weeklong “Chef’s Supper Club” once a month at Bistro Molokini. The events feature culinary creations by Chef Michael Young, Chef Jessica Gallegos, and Pastry Chef Natalie Wilkinson.

Each month the chefs will be challenged to use two local ingredients. This month’s event – “The Pig and Her Pineapple” – starts next Monday the 21st and ends on Saturday, January 26.

As the name implies, the dishes featured this month are all required to include house-made bacon and Maui pineapple.

The three-course menu starts with Malama Farms sausage-stuffed Medjool dates with house-made bacon, local watercress leaves, and roasted piquillo (a variety of chili traditionally grown in Northern Spain) sauce. We’re assuming the pineapple is in there somewhere.

The main dish is a Grand Wailea Garden Herb-Brined Malama Farms Pork Loin, which is a very wordy way of saying pork with bacon, garlic corn, wilted spinach, macadamia nut balsamic relish, and pineapple jus.

The meal finishes up with a Pineapple Chocolate Cookie Sandwich, and the hotel admirably held the pastry chef to the bacon challenge, as well. The dessert features a pretzel cookie crisp filled with pineapple ice cream, and topped with champagne poached pineapple timbales and bacon peanut brittle.

All this bacon-rich goodness will set you back $42 per person and wine pairings are also available at an additional cost.

Bistro Molokini. Photo courtesy Grand Wailea.

Chefs’ Supper Club guests will also receive a complimentary $25 dining coupon redeemable for dinner at Humuhumunukunukuapua’a or Bistro Molokini, at the Grand Dining Room Maui Sunday Brunch, or for private cabana dining.

Speaking of which, for larger groups, there is also a “Chefs’ Cabana Club” option where a minimum of four and up to 10 people can enjoy their bacon and pineapple in a private cabana for a $50 upcharge (per cabana).

Cabana reservations are based on availability and 24-hour’s notice is required.

To make reservations for either the supper club or the cabanas, contact Grand Wailea Restaurant Reservations at 808.875.1234 ext. 4900.

We welcome your feedback. Please let us know if you hear of any new restaurants opening or reopening, total menu overhauls, or simply know of a hidden treasure you want to share. Have a restaurant you want reviewed (or re-reviewed)? Drop us a line – vanessa(@mauinow.com)