Last weekend we had a delightful four days on Maui to enjoy the Maui AgFest and the events leading up to it. This year’s festival added on an extra dining event on Thursday, plus some additional events we were invited to attend to get to know the chefs better. Four chefs from Canada also made the trip very far south, and their presence added a lot to the festivities. More on all of this soon! I swear!

For now, a fun photo of some of the chefs posing for a mass-selfie-a-la-Ellen-at-the-Oscars prior to their live cook-off challenge:

Maui Ag Fest 2014 Live Chefs’ Cook-Off Challenge selfie moment. Chefs, left to right: Pierre Lamielle (FoodOnYourShirt.com); Sheldon Simeon (Migrant); Jessica Pelland (charbar); Joey Macadangdang (Roy's); Isaac Bancaco (Ka‘ana Kitchen); Jojo Vasquez (The Plantation House); Eric Faivre (Grand Wailea), in black, leaning over. Not visible (and probable owner of the apparently owner-less hand on the left): Jeff Scheer (Maui Executive Catering).

Chefs, left to right: Pierre Lamielle (FoodOnYourShirt); Sheldon Simeon (Migrant); Jessica Pelland (charbar); Joey Macadangdang (Roy’s); Isaac Bancaco (Ka‘ana Kitchen); Jojo Vasquez (The Plantation House); Eric Faivre (Grand Wailea), in black, leaning over. Not visible (and probable owner of the apparently owner-less hand on the left): Jeff Scheer (Maui Executive Catering).

Disclosure: Sugar + Shake were hosted by the Maui Visitors Bureau and The Grand Wailea. Travel and accommodations were provided by the hosts, as well as entry to the Festival and the Grand Tasting, but no compensation was received for this post, and the opinions expressed are strictly my own.




There's Always More to Eat and Drink:

Kā‘anapali Fresh 2014. Kā‘anapali from Range to Sea Signature Event. Togarashi-Seared Hokkaido Scallop with Smoked Cumin Cream Corn and Kaffir Lime Oil. Silver Award Winner. © 2014 Sugar + ShakeSo Fresh: Kā‘anapali Fresh 2014 Weekend Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival 2014: “Under a Maui Moon.” Kampachi with Osetra Caviar, Uni, Preserved Lemon & Toasted Quinoa by Chef Mourad Lahlou (Aziza, San Francisco). Wine pairing: 2013 Weingut Rudolf Furst ‘Pur Mineral’ Silvaner, Franken, Germany. © 2014 Sugar + ShakeHawai‘i Food & Wine Festival 2014: “Under a Maui Moon” and “Corks & Forks” Maui AgFest 2014 Grand Tasting: Chef Isaac Bancaco (Ka‘ana Kitchen at Andaz Maui, Wailea) with Chauncy Monden (Kula Country Farms) — Onion Malasadas with Sour Cream, Onion Seeds, Onion Jam and Onion Dust. Culinary Influence: Portuguese. First Place, Judges’ Choice and Fan Favorite. © 2014 Sugar + ShakeMaui AgFest 2014 — Grand Tasting Challenge Grown on Maui and Maui AgFest participating chefs. Left to right: Chefs Eric Faivre (Grand Wailea Resort), Chris Schobel (Fat Daddy’s BBQ), Connie DeSousa (Charcut Roast House), Sheldon Simeon (Migrant/Mala), John Jackson (Charcut Roast House), Wesley Holder (Pulehu), Jessica Pelland (Charbar), Pierre Lamielle (Food On Your Shirt), Jeff Scheer (Maui Executive Catering), Lyndon Honda (Laulima Events & Catering), Isaac Bancaco (Ka‘ana Kitchen) and Tylun Pang (Kō at the Fairmont Kea Lani). © 2014 Sugar + ShakeGrown on Maui Dinner & Wailea Dine-Around Maui AgFest 2013 Grand Taste Education Dish: Chef Tylun Pang (Kō at The Fairmont Kea Lani) with Bryan Otani (Otani Farm) — Baby Rainbow Carrot Tempura with Sweet Soy Glaze, Spicy Sesame Aioli and Furikake. © 2013 Sugar + ShakeMaui AgFest 2013