Executive Chef Keoni Chang signs autographs for kids at Keiki in the Kitchen® on O’ahu in 2017. Photo courtesy: Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival

This year, the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival’s (HFWF) popular Keiki in the Kitchen® event makes its Maui debut, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Whalers Village in Kā‘anapali.

Headlining the event is perky YouTube baking star Rosanna Pansino, known for her series Nerdy Nummies. She will lead two cupcake-decorating sessions for kids— at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.— using her signature unicorn cupcake decorating kits that she is generously donating to the event. Pansino joins 17 celebrity chef guests for a day of food and fun for the whole family.

This event is free with advance registration here, or $5 at door.  The previous Keiki in the Kitchen® festivities have been well-attended on O‘ahu.

“Keiki in the Kitchen® has been an amazing opportunity for our children on O‘ahu to be inspired by famous chefs from all over the world, and to learn about the many aspects of food,” says HFWF CEO Denise Yamaguchi. “They learn directly from world-famous chefs what they do in the kitchen, find out from farmers where food comes from, participate in fun food activities, and learn how food relates to health and lifestyle. We are proud that we are able to launch Keiki in the Kitchen on Maui this year in partnership with Whalers Village and their retailers who will create family-fun activities and special offers.”

Kids unite with chefs to enjoy Keiki in the Kitchen® on O’ahu in 2017. Photo courtesy: Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival

As at Keiki in the Kitchen® on O‘ahu, chefs participating in HFWF Maui events will be on hand to interact with kids—taking pictures together, signing autographs, and answering questions. The lineup includes such heavy hitters as Blaine Wetzel of Willows Inn, Lummi Island; Brandon Jew of Mr. Jiu’s, San Francisco; and Rick Tramonto of Restaurant R’evolution, New Orleans; along with Maui favorites Abby Ferrer of Star Noodle and Jayse Sato of Umi Sushi; and, of course, festival co-chairs and influential chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, who are both dedicated to supporting culinary education in Hawai‘i.

Activities and entertainment include:

• Cupcake decorating with Rosanna Pansino: The baking star will lead two cupcake decorating sessions, at 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. Each child will receive decorative pieces from Pansino’s unicorn cupcake decorating kit. Each session can accommodate 60 children. Cupcake decorating is open to the first 120 kids to check in, on a first-come, first served basis.

• Photo booth: Kids can get their photos taken with world-famous chefs.

• Tomato tasting with farmer Justin Teixeira: He will share the varieties of tomatoes that he grows on his J. Tex Farms in Kula, allowing visitors to taste the differences.

• Make-your-own grab-and-go snack with Monkeypod Kitchen: The popular restaurant will have a station where kids can assemble their own cool snacks.

• Screenprinting with Crazy Shirts: Kids can learn how to screen designs with the T-shirt company.

• Learn to make lei: Kids can try their hand at stringing flowers at a lei-making booth.

• Craft activities with Ben Franklin: Kids can make cool stuff with the help of staff and supplies from Ben Franklin.

• Performance by Halau Hula Malani O Kapehe, 10 a.m. to 11: a.m.

• Pre-event film screening: To get people ready for Keiki in the Kitchen®, the day before, on Oct. 20, Whalers Village will host a free screening of the animated film Ratatouille, about a great Parisian chef—who happens to be a rat. The screening is subject to weather conditions.

The Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival is the premier epicurean destination event in the Pacific. The Festival features a roster of more than 100 internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers. Co-founded by two of Hawai‘i’s own James Beard Award-winning chefs, Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, the Festival will showcase wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, one-of-a-kind excursions, and exclusive dining opportunities with dishes highlighting the state’s bounty of local produce, seafood, beef and poultry.

Proceeds from the festival support local beneficiaries committed to sustainability and cultural and educational programs in Hawai‘i. In eight years, HFWF has expanded from a three-day festival with 30 chefs in Waikīkī to a three-weekend culinary celebration spanning three islands that attracts more than 10,000 attendees. The festival boosts Hawai‘i’s reputation as a culinary destination with prominent national media coverage valued at $12 million.