Andaz Chefs Bring James Beard Experience Home to Maui

Diners will have a chance to experience a meal that echoes a recent dinner served at the legendary James Beard House out East.  On Friday, Sept. 9, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort Executive Chef Isaac Bancaco and his culinary team, Chef de Cuisines Ritchard Cariaga and Mi Jin Kang, will share the coveted dishes recently served to 75 James Beard Foundation members and guests in New York City.

Bancaco and his culinary team had the honor of headlining a sold-out dinner at the James Beard House on May 19, 2016. Diners enjoyed pre-dinner PAU Maui cocktails handcrafted by mixologist Fernando Sousa followed by a taste of true Hawaiian culture in a six-course meal, with wine pairings, prepared by Bancaco and his team, which boasted locally-grown ingredients and vibrant flavors.

“I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share my culinary heritage with such a distinguished and well-respected group of epicureans at my first headlining dinner at the James Beard House,” said Isaac Bancaco, executive chef at Andaz Maui. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this achievement than with a family-style dinner at home, on Maui where I was born and raised.”

Chef Isaac Bancaco of Ka’ana Kitchen and his team at Andaz Maui present ‘Escape to Maui’ at the James Beard House on May 19.
CREDIT: Clay Williams for the James Beard Foundation.
© Clay Williams / claywilliamsphoto.com

Culinary creations from Ka‘ana Kitchen. Courtesy of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.

Culinary creations from Ka‘ana Kitchen. Courtesy of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.

Culinary creations from Ka‘ana Kitchen. Courtesy of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.

Culinary creations from Ka‘ana Kitchen. Courtesy of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.

Culinary creations from Ka‘ana Kitchen. Courtesy of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.

In the family-style spirit of Ka’ana Kitchen, the strolling reception-style dinner will take place in the Presidential Villa at Andaz Maui and will feature interactive stations, PAU Vodka cocktails and a selection of wines poured by MauiWine. The menu will include:

Pupu Table:
Watermelon + Surfing Goat Dairy+ Walnuts + Watercress
Malama Farm’s Rillettes + Rakkyo + Brioche
Ho’s Tomatoes+ Savory Tart + Granola + Balsamic
Kabocha Arancini + Macadamia Nuts + Romesco + Arugula

Pūlehu Station:
He‘e + Secret Sicily + Preserved Lemon + Asparagus
Kauai Shrimp + Coconut Curd + Pickled Poha

Poke Station:
Ahi + Hiramasa + Ogo + Maui Onions
Yak Onigiri

Mea ‘Ono Station
Pork Belly + XO + Shimeji + Shishito + Molokai Sweet Potatoes
Wagyu Beef Cheeks + MBC Coconut Porter + Wheatberry Salad

Mea Ala Station:
Poi Mochi + Haleakala Caramel + Waialua Estate Chocolate
Lilikoi + Mango + Coconut + Creamsicle
Guava Chiffon Cake + Vanilla Cream
Truffle + Petit Fours

Handcrafted Cocktails:
Mokapu Mule + Paniolo Whiskey + jalapeno + agave + ginger + lemon + soda
Ulua Vespah + aged Pau Maui Vodka, gin, cocci americans + orange bitters

MauiWine:
Rose Ranch Lokelani Sparkling Rose
‘Ulupalakua Vineyards Syrah 2013
‘Ulupalakua Vineyards Grenache 2014
‘Ulupalakua Vineyards Malbec 2014
‘Ulupalakua Vineyards Rose 2015
‘Ulupalakua Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2015

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 9 and tickets are $150 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (808) 573-4703.