Ka’anapali Fresh Tickets On Sale

By Vanessa Wolf

A dish from last year’s Ka’anapali Fresh event. Photo by Vanessa Wolf

The third annual Kā‘anapali Fresh event is not for a couple more months, but odds are tickets to the signature foodie event of the Kā‘anapali Beach Resort Association will be long gone by then.

According to organizers, this year’s affair – held on August 29, 30 and 31 – features” a vibrant new lineup with some ‘super-fresh’ twists.”

Case in point, the ‘Aha‘āina O Kā‘anapali on Friday, August 29 begins with a Hawaiian ceremony on the beach at sunset.

Lahaina’s newly launched double-hulled voyaging vessel, the Mo‘okiha o Pi‘ilani, will lead a flotilla of canoes to the shores of Ka‘anapali Beach where traditional chanting will take place.

The ceremony marks the start of a culinary journey through three distinctive ages of Hawaiian cuisine.

Old Hawaii features the  clean, natural flavors of fish, seaweed, sweet potatoes and taro.

It’s followed by the Golden Era, offering farm-raised beef and pork and sweet golden pineapple.

Last up is Modern Hawaii, with a focus on Hawaiian Regional Cuisine.

Held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, tickets are $92.70.

***

A dish from the 2013 Ka’anapali Fresh Food and Wine Festival. Photo by Vanessa Wolf

On Saturday, August 30, plan to partake in Fresh Mixology 101: Kā‘anapali Craft. This “marriage of libations spirited and brewed”  offers a chance to watch master mixologists create award-winning cocktails.

Chandra Lucariello, Director of Mixology for Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawai‘i and Vice President for the United States Bartender Guild Hawai‘i, will share the story of how craft beers are integrating with classic cocktails.

Then, Freddie Sconfienza of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa will prepare his Hokulani/Heavenly Star and Dragonberry Bomb, drinks that have twice won him the title of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Star Mixologist.

Cocktails aren’t all there is to it.

Attendees can also expect to enjoy lunch prepared by the chefs of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.

Fresh Mixology 101 runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and tickets are $43.75.

***

Lastly, the evening of Saturday, August 30 is capped off with the Kā‘anapali Fresh Food & Wine Festival.

This year’s theme is ahupua‘a (land to sea) and chefs and restaurants are “collaborating in a showcase of culinary sustainability that uses the island’s harvest from the range, farms and sea.”

Attendees can anticipate grass-fed beef, pork and lamb – as well as island fish – paired with boutique wines from the world’s leading vintners.

In addition, celebrated Hawaiian trio Kamakakehau Fernandez and HAPA, one of Hawai‘i’s most popular duos, will perform.

The event is held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Royal Kā‘anapali Golf Course’s hole 3.

Tickets are $192.70.