Barrera

KAPALUA – The 36th annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival is just around the corner, June 8-11, and promises to be another spectacular weekend gathering of top winemakers, culinary and superstars from the celebrity chef scene and homegrown Maui favorites.

The kick-off Grand Tasting gala hosted by Hawaii.com on the oceanfront lawn of Montage Kapalua Bay showcases the culinary creations of Kapalua Resort restaurants and special guests along with renowned wines from around the globe.

The culinary creations of Kapalua’s inspired chefs are sure to wow seasoned event goers and newcomers alike.

Three highlights of dishes being served by resort restaurant partners include:?

Chef Jojo Vasquez/Plantation House, 2017 Aipono Award-winning “Chef of the Year” – Seared Ahi on a crispy tortilla with lime crema, tomato, avocado and cilantro;

Vasquez

Chef Robert Barrera/Pineapple Grill – Oxtail tortellini with parmesan, brodo and parsley;

Chef Neil Murphy/Merriman’s Restaurant – Kauai Shrimp and Taro Pancake.?

There will be more dishes from host restaurant Cane & Canoe; Honolua Store; The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua; Taverna; and the University of Hawaii Maui Culinary Academy.

Petrossian Caviar, founded in Paris in 1920 and still serving the world’s finest caviar, will host a fabulous tasting station of select caviars from their renowned portfolio, and the “Maui Sugar Squad” will offer sweets and treats from Maui’s own Donut Dynamite, Beach Bunny Bakery, Cupcake Lady and the one and only Maui Cookie Lady.

Major sponsors for the 2017 event include The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua; Montage Kapalua Bay; Troon Golf/Kapalua; Maui Visitors Bureau; County of Maui; Hawaii.com; Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card; and FIJI Water.

To purchase tickets online, visit www.kapaluawineandfoodfestival.com.