KAHULUI-Take 10 of the finest chefs on the island, gather a selection of Maui’s freshest local meats and seafood, and throw down a culinary challenge: Who can create the most mouthwatering dish? Welcome to the excitement (and deliciousness) of Grand Taste, one of the most popular features at Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair!

Held at War Memorial Special Events and Baseball Fields, AgFest returns on Saturday, June 1, for its 15th year of agricultural education and celebration. AgFest presenter Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) recently announced the lineup of 10 Grand Taste chefs and their featured local ingredients:

• Chef Matthew Dela Cruz, Humble Market Kitchin – Venison

• Chef Chance Savell, Ka’ana Kitchen at Andaz Maui – ‘Ulu

Chef Terry Manegdeg to Grand Desserts with Yee’s Orchard Mango Float featuring Hayden and Golden Glow Mango. Terry was a 2023 Judge’s Choice winner.

• Chef Ryan Luckey, Leilani’s on the Beach – Beef

• Chef Joey Macadangdang, Balai Pata – Shrimp

• Chef Henry Tariga, Seascape Mā’alaea at Maui Ocean Center – Venison

• Chef Damian Rubio, Merriman’s Kapalua – Shrimp

• Chef Scotty Roberts, Makawao Public House – Beef

• Chef Nolan Gonzales, Tiffany’s Restaurant and Bar – Fish

• Chef Jonathan Pasion, Kō, Fairmont Kea Lani – Venison

• Chef Brian Etheredge, Tails Up Maui – Fish

From among these talented chefs, the Grand Taste judges must choose one dish which will earn the “Best Overall,” and one who will capture the Tylun Pang “Fan Favorite” award. Created three years ago in honor of late Maui Chef Tylun Pang, the award is decided by the public, with ticket holders trying all 10 dishes and voting for their favorite.

Will it be a Tails Up Taco from Chef Etheredge: coconut ‘ulu tortilla, liliko’i beer-battered fish, Hawaiian chili pepper jam, Ha’īku mango salsa and cabbage slaw? Or perhaps Kiawe Smoked Ricotta, Lu’au Leaf Tortellini with Maui Nui Venison Ragout & Lion’s Mane Mushrooms from Chef Dela Cruz? Kaua’i Shrimp Inasal with Cauliflower, Chickpea Salad, Tahini Miso Bean Hummus & Baby Li’i Li’i Tatsoi from Chef Macadangdang? Or, Chef Luckey of Leilani’s on the Beach’s Pulehu Maui Cattle Beef Gordita, Amarillo and blue masa, avocado puree, pickled red onion, fresh requeson, and salsa macha. And that’s just a “taste” of the 10 ‘ono dishes that Grand Taste attendees will get to try.

Long-time participant and past winner Chef Marc McDowell, owner of SixtyTwo MarcKet, returns on the other side of the table this year: as a Grand Taste judge. He will be joined by nine other esteemed judges: Karen Christenson, legacy owner of Mama’s Fish House; Warren K. Watanabe, executive director, Maui County Farm Bureau; Brian Miyamoto, executive director, Hawaii Farm Bureau; Bobby Santos and Tom Lelli, retired longtime culinary instructors from Maui Culinary Academy; Melissa Chang, popular food and travel blogger; Chris Speere, president of the Maui Coffee Association, Shannon Wianecki, award-winning food, culture and travel journalist; and Chris Schobel, owner of Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse.

“My parents knew that the key to good food was cooking with fresh, local ingredients,” said Christenson, whose parents Floyd and Doris opened iconic Mama’s Fish House in 1973. “When all the other restaurants on Maui were serving steak, they started buying the fishermen’s catch-and it didn’t take long for folks to realize that it tasted really good! These Grand Taste chefs understand the value of local ingredients, and I know it’s going to be very difficult to choose the best among the delicious dishes they will create.” Grand Taste will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available online $30 in advance at MauiAgFest.org, or $40 day of.

For the second year, Grand Taste will be topped off by the delightful Grand Desserts competition, sponsored by Pacific Media Group. After all, what would life be without dessert? Four local chefs will compete for the title of “Best Dessert,” using a featured local ingredient. The chefs are:

• Chef Riko Bartolome, private chef, – Smoked Squash Ice Cream with Candied Moloka’i Sweet Potato

• Chef Toby Matsubara, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa – Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Decadence

• Chef Terry Manegdeg, Kō, Andaz Maui at Wailea – Yee’s Orchard Mango Float featuring Hayden and Golden Glow mangoes from Yee’s Orchard

• Chef Henry Tariga, Seacape Mā’alaea at Maui Ocean Center – Candied Kalo in Coconut Ube Tapioca

Chef Tariga will be pulling double duty as he’s also a Grand Taste competitor; while returning winner Chef Manegdeg hopes to again wow the judges with her sweet and fruity concoction featuring Yee’s Orchard Hayden mangoes. The four Grand Desserts judges are: Chef Krista Garcia, pastry and baking instructor at UHMC and pineapple farmer; Chris Schobel of Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse; writer Shannon Wianecki; and blogger Melissa Chang.

Grand Desserts will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tickets are available online $25 in advance at MauiAgFest.org, or $30 day of.

A huge mahalo to Grand Taste sponsor Ulupono Initiative and Grand Desserts sponsor Pacific Media Group, and for the support of all the AgFest sponsors, some of whom have been with the event from the beginning.

“As part of our commitment to a more sustainable, resilient Hawai’i, Ulupono Initiative has been the Grand Taste sponsor for many years because we know how important agriculture is to our state; a strong ag economy is a resilient one,” said Keith DeMello, senior vice president of communications and external affairs for Ulupono Initiative, a Hawai’i-focused impact investment firm. “It’s so inspiring to see the community come out to learn about ag and where their food comes from, meet the farmers, and meet the chefs who cook with Grown on Maui ingredients. We can’t wait to taste their amazing creations.”

With the tragic Lahaina fires never far from mind, many restaurants are missing from Maui’s vibrant dining scene this year. Local fisherman Captain Chimo Shipp founded Fresh Help Maui-a Gold Sponsor of AgFest this year-to help those in need. Together with Maui Eat Local, Fresh Help Maui is launching “The Lahaina Cookbook,”featuring more than 100 recipes from West Maui’s best loved restaurants and chefs. AgFest attendees can purchase their own signed copy of the brand new book between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Attendees at AgFest also have a chance to deepen their ag experience with tickets to Taste Education. This special series features Grown on Maui guests and was part of AgFest’s beginnings back in 2007. Taste Education attendees can register for Maui specialties in four different sessions: Coffee, Cacao, Fish and Kalo. Each session runs one hour and costs $10. Seating is limited at these select events, so advance reservations are required at MauiAgFest.org.

Agriculture is important in so many ways in Maui’s economy, environment and lifestyle. AgFest celebrates these connections with not only Taste Education, but also Ag Education, Maui 4-H Youth Livestock Show & Auction, Grown on Maui Farmers’ Market and Maui Legacy Farmers Pancake Breakfast. For the keiki, there’s the ever-popular Keiki Zone, stage attractions and so much more.

Tickets for AgFest are available online or at the door (cash only): $5 for adults; free for 18 & under with student ID. Parking is free.

AgFest is hosted by MCFB and Maui 4-H Livestock Program in partnership with the County of Maui, Maui County Council, Maui Office of Economic Development and the Maui Department of Agriculture, along with strong support from A&B, Bayer, Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, Fresh Help Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Mahi Pono, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Ness/Hawthrone, Pacific Media Group, Pukalani Superette, Ulupono Initiative, VIP Foodservice and Young Brothers.

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