By Maui Now Staff

Braised veal cheeks and pancetta Brussels sprouts from a previous Makena Beach event. Photo by Vanessa Wolf.

This Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m., join the Makena Beach and Golf Resort in their Molokini Bar & Grille for a Mediterranean gourmet food and wine tasting.

The January edition is once again co-hosted by Master Sommelier Patrick Okubo and Executive Chef Marc McDowell featuring three Mediterranean wines and gourmet dish pairings.

Patrick “Pat” Okubo is a Master Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, a certified wine educator (CWE), and certified specialist of spirits (CSS). A graduate of University High and the University of Hawaii, Okubo is the fine wine specialist and wine educator for Young’s Market Hawaii. He is the third master sommelier in Hawaii and is the second youngest master sommelier in the nation, so in other words: a most impressive dude.

During each event Chef McDowell provides demonstrations and talks about each dish while Okubo educates on the chosen wines.

That stated. the three pairings include:

• Leone De Castris Salice Salentino Apulia 2008 paired with lamb keftedes, grilled lamb meat balls with greek olives, fresh oregano, parsley, lemon and extra-virgin olive oil
• Chateau Musar Hochar Beka’a Valley 2009 paired with pork souvlaki, red wine marinated pork skewers, grilled and wrapped in pita bread and topped with a lettuce, tomato, onion, fresh herbs and tzatziki sauce
• Stella Moscato, Sicily 2011 paired with baklava, layers of filo pastry filled with chopped macadamia nuts sweetened with Maui honey.

The event is $45 per person.

For reservations or more information call 808-875-5888.