A Toast to Tuscany at Pūlehu, an Italian Grill, happening Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. Photo courtesy: The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas

Chefs at The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas have designed a four-course dinner menu to complement Tuscan Sun Wines, all part of “A Toast to Tuscany,” happening Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.

This culinary and wine experience will be held at Pūlehu, an Italian Grill, with Frances Mayes, author of the New York Times bestseller, “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Event attendees will enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by Pūlehu, an Italian Grill’s recently appointed chef de cuisine, Alvin Savella, and the resort’s executive sous chef, Matt Skaletsky. Jim Hansen, restaurant and wine list manager is pairing this menu with Mayes’ wine label, Tuscan Sun Wines, which will be added to Pūlehu’s wine list.

“Frances’ wines are about appreciating a simple and good life well lived,” says Chef Savella. “We kept this theme in mind and used it as inspiration for the menu.”

The event menu opens with a fresh catch with fregola, fennel and poricini cream. This is paired with Pensiero, a pinot grigio. Next, attendees will enjoy venison Bolognese, fusilli pasta, fresh ricotta and micro basil. This is paired with Auguri, a Sangiovese blend. The third course is pork belly with kabocha squash risotto, sage and pomegranate. It is paired with Tondo Tondo, 100% Sangiovese. Lastly, the dinner will conclude with hazelnut chocolate torte with orange zabaione and mint gelee, which is paired with Toccare le Stelle, a prosecco.

Author Frances Mayes, who wrote Under the Tuscan Sun. Photo courtesy: The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas.

In addition to this Tuscan Sun Wines-paired dinner, “A Toast to Tuscany” features a meet-and-greet with Mayes and a screening of the movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Tickets are available for $125 per person. Click here for more information, or here to purchase tickets.

In celebration of the event, special room packages, Toast Tuscany and Toast Tuscany Deluxe, are also available at The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas. See those deals here, or call (808) 662-2614.