Iron Chef America Winner Part of Grand Wailea Dinner

By Vanessa Wolf

Humu at night. Photo courtesy Grand Wailea.

This Friday, May 17th, Chef Lee Anne Wong will prepare food as part of the Grand Wailea’s “TOAST! Wine Pairing Dinner.”

The dinner will be held at the resort’s Humuhumunukunukuapua’a restaurant and offers six lavish courses harmonized with wine.

Chef Lee Anne Wong first came on the scene when she placed in the top four on Season One of Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

Currently, she holds an “Iron Chef America” title for defeating Iron Chef Marc Forgione in the Kitchen Stadium. She is a guest judge in the popular culinary show “Chopped,” and competed in last year’s “Next Iron Chef Redemption” web series. She is a commentator on the Cooking Channel’s show, “Unique Eats,” and will also be launching a new show called the “Food Crawl.”

Whew!

The six-course meal begins with Crispy Pa’i’ai, Hawaiian Fresh Farms goat cheese, and local honey with Sweet Corn and Basil Fritters and a pineapple-chili sauce prepared by Chef Wong.

There will also be ono poke, Asian-style Maui beef tartare and (in a pretty bold move, if we do say so ourselves) Malama Farm head cheese prepared by Humuhumunukunukuapua’a’s Michael Lofaro.

Chef Wong is preparing the first and second courses, beginning with roasted heart of palm, Maui citrus, avocado, and macadamia nuts.

The second course offers Kampachi, Smoked Maui Onion Consommé, Daikon, Asparagus, and Sea Asparagus

Chef Lofaro’s third course of Malama Farms lechon (roast pork) with pickled baby carrots, green mango and red wine will be followed by his onaga and Kona Abalone dry mein with Cara Cara vinaigrette.

The last savory course of “Oahu vs. Maui Goat Cheese” will be prepared by Chef Lofaro and served on his homemade artisan bread. The head to head battle features Oahu’s Hawaiian Fresh Farms and Maui’s Surfing Goat Dairy Cheese.

Humu by Day. Photo courtesy Grand Wailea.

If you have any room left after all that, Chef Natalie’s Hawaiian chocolate and coconut fudge with honey mango curd, Ulupalakua strawberry and basil sorbet, and a coconut macaroon will make sure your pants burst.

In addition, the dinner will also serve as a fundraiser for Food Revolution, a Jamie Oliver Food Foundation program focused on bringing together millions of people and inspire the nation to fight obesity with better food.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and from a silent auction will go to the program.

All this wonderment starts with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner itself is at 6 p.m. There is a cost of $110 per person and limited seating is available. Call 808.875.1234 ext 4949 for reservations.

We welcome your feedback. Please let us know if you hear of any new restaurants opening or reopening, total menu overhauls, or simply know of a hidden treasure you want to share. Have a restaurant you want reviewed (or re-reviewed)? Drop us a line – Vanessa(@mauinow.com)