From left, Chef Tylun Pang, Kalani Pe’a and Amber Ching, The Fairmont Kea Lani’s 2019 Grand Taste chef who won the Judge’s Choice Overall and Fan Favorite awards. The Fan Favorite Award has been renamed the Chef Tylun Pang Fan Favorite Award to honor his legacy and the tremendous impact he had in Maui’s culinary industry and community.

WAILUKU — Officially within the 30-day mark of the Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair, event presenter Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) is excited to announce the 12 dishes by the 12 participating chefs for this year’s Grand Taste.

The 2022 Grand Taste event takes place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and is sponsored by Ulupono Initiative.

Admission is free to the overall AgFest on Saturday, June 4; however, there is a fee for Grand Taste. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased online at mauiagfest.org or directly on Eventbrite.

MCFB has renamed its Fan Favorite Award to the Chef Tylun Pang Fan Favorite Award. The naming recognizes the tremendous impact Chef Pang has had on so many of Maui’s important chefs, from Perry Bateman at Mama’s Fish House, to Isaac Bancaco at Pacific’o on the Beach in Lahaina, to Kyle Kawakami of Maui Fresh Streatery, and most especially, to the numerous chefs, cooks and culinary employees he worked and laughed with every day at the hotel.

This year, Chef Pang registered Jonathan Pasion to represent the The Fairmont Kea Lani in Grand Taste, saying, “It’s time to let the young guys have fun and show what they can do.”

In fact, the last time MCFB held AgFest and Grand Taste in 2019, Chef Pang’s Pastry Chef, Amber Ching, won “Best Overall” and “Fan Favorite.” That was a happy and proud moment for Chef Pang.

Grand Taste 2022 promises to be even more momentous, as 12 local chefs vie for the newly renamed Chef Tylun Pang Fan Favorite Award. Each chef has selected a locally grown ingredient and will create a dish to showcase that main ingredient. Grand Taste judges give out awards for “Best Protein,” “Best Vegetarian” and “Best Overall.” Ticket holders try all 12 dishes and then vote for their favorite, with awards announced at 4 p.m.

Here is the list of Grand Taste dishes by the participating chefs (dishes are subject to change based on availability of products and produce):

Chef Marc McDowell, SixtyTwo MarcKet, will use Lapa’au Farms Mixed Variety Beets and make SixtyTwo MarcKet Super Veggie Sliders with Lapa’au Farms Beets, Herb Feta Relish & Sherry Aioli;

Chef Ryan Fox, Humuhumunukunukuapua’a at Grand Wailea, will cook with fish and make Ahi Ceviche;

Chef Matt Dela Cruz, Humble Market Kitchin’, will use Moloka’i Venison and make Moloka’i Venison Gyoza, Venison Crisps, Kiawe Smoked Bone Marrow Aioli & Lup Cheong Chili Crunch;

Chef Jonathan Pasion, Ko Restaurant at The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, will use taro and make Taro Bao Buns;

Chef Ryan Luckey, Leilani’s on the Beach, will use Maui Nui Venison and make Braised Maui Nui Venison Shank, Portuguese Bean Soup, Chili Pepper Mayonnaise & Charred Green Onion;

Chef Joey Macadangdang, Maca Dang Dang, will cook with Maui Cattle Co. Beef Cheeks and make Maui Cattle Co. Beef Cheeks Cansi with ‘Ulu;

Chef Kalei Ducheneau, Mala Ocean Tavern will cook with seafood and make Seafood Sausage;

Chef Damian Rubio, Merriman’s Kapalua, will use Kaua’i Shrimp and make Guajillo Spice Kaua’i Shrimp with Upcountry Vegetables & Cornbread;

Chef Sue Kwok of Montage Kapalua Bay will use pork and ʻulu to make Oeufs en “Mauirette;”

Chef Jessie Anacieto of Roy’s Kaanapali will use pork to make Braised Pork Belly Laulau, LuauūPuree, Smoked Lomilomi Kona Kampachi and Poi Vinaigrette.

Chef Enrique “Henry” Tariga, Seascape Maalaea at Maui Ocean Center, will use ‘ulu and make Spicy ‘Ulu Poke with Guacamole over Taro & Sweet Potato Chips;

And Chef Nolan Gonzales, Tin Roof, will use Maui Cattle Co. Beef Short Ribs (boneless) to make Pulang Adobo Noodles (Red Adobo Noodles).

Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair will take place at War Memorial Special Events Field on Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This year marks the 13th celebration of AgFest, bringing with it all the fun, enthusiasm and awareness of the essential role that agriculture plays in Maui’s economy, environment and lifestyle.

All the signature events are back –from the Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, to the Grand Taste, Keiki Zone, Maui 4-H Livestock Show & Auction, Grown on Maui Farmers’ Market and Ag Education –plus a tempting array of food booths and food trucks. As always, admission is free! Parking is $5.

AgFest is hosted by MCFB and Maui 4-H Livestock Association in partnership with the County of Maui and the Office of Economic Development, along with generous sponsors and industry allies.

MCFB gives a big mahalo to gold sponsors A&B Inc., Bayer, Mahi Pono, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Pacific Radio Group, Pukalani Superette and Ulupono Initiative, and to bronze sponsors Young Brothers and Hawaiian Electric.

For a final schedule of events and to purchase tickets for Grand Taste and Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast, visit www.MauiAgFest.org.