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Inside Coconut’s Fish Cafe. Photo by Megan Fox. Last week there was a grand opening of Coconut’s Fish Cafe, the chain’s first location on Kauai, and they’re open now to the public. The restaurant’s decor is bright and fun (the surfboard tables are too cute), and a fast-casual ordering and seating style, which makes it a…

Our Kauai Food Tour -South Shore concludes at Kauai’s premiere gourmet farmers market at the Shops at Kukuiula. Daniel Lane photo The Shops at Kukuiula and Poipu Beach Resort Association’s 2nd Annual Poipu Food & Wine Festival runs through November 12. Similar to last year’s inaugural event, this year’s festival supports the Culinary Arts Program…

Pumpkin Crunch, Sweet Potato Haupia Pie, and Pineapple Cheesecake. Photo by Megan Fox Sam Choy is a Hawaii favorite – and there’s good reason. Well-known globally as a James Beard Award-winning chef, prolific cookbook author, and Iron Chef America personality, Chef Choy’s roots and passion come from the oceans and farmlands of Hawaii. An Oahu…

Sam Choy in his home kitchen with a bowl of poke and grape tomatoes. Photo courtesy of Sam Choy. When I interviewed Sam Choy over the phone for an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, he graciously answered a few questions for Tasting Kauai’s readers. As a regional legend, it’s simpler to link to Sam Choy’s bio, than list his lengthy accomplishments. We discussed food and travel, then Sam shared tips on finding the tastiest bite of culture.  The first time food and travel intersected for Sam, he was representing America and seafood at the World and Food Show in Anuga, Germany then Sial, France. “You get to see and taste food from other cultures, and each country puts their best foot forward,” says Choy. “You get to taste it, smell it, hold it. It’s a good learning experience.” Sam…

Sam Choy, internationally renowned television personality and restaurateur, will share his culinary secrets, while preparing family-style signature cuisine and hosting a talk story event. Photo courtesy of Sam Choy. Koloa Landing Resort announces the first annual “Choy of Cooking” with Sam Choy on Friday, October 20 at the Holoholo Grill. The internationally renowned television personality and restaurateur will be sharing his culinary secrets, while preparing family-style signature cuisine and hosting a talk story event. Guests will be treated to an evening of entertainment, education and endless memories with a legendary local personality. At the end of the night, guests can take home personalized recipe cards of Chef Choy’s favorites to continue the culinary adventure at home. To kick off this ongoing event series, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. is announcing a proclamation honoring Sam Choy Day. At the “Choy of…

Rodman Machado (left) and celebrity chef, Sheldon Simeon. Daniel Lane photo Rodman Machado teamed up with celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon for a 5-course dinner with cocktail and wine parings. Simeon, TV host, chef and owner of Tin Roof on Maui, is a Top Chef finalist who won Fan Favorite in Season 10; has two James Beard…

  Sandi Lessert is a self-proclaimed Disney Geek. Photo courtesy of Sandi Lessert. “For me, food started at birth, and maybe before then,” Sandi Lessert said to me over the phone. “I guess it’s so much a part of our family, I kind of wonder how much of it’s in your DNA.” I’ve been collecting…

Katherine Smithers at home on Kauai – photo courtesy of Katherine Smithers Tasting Kauai’s new food tour guide is Katherine Smithers. We have been training her for two weeks and tomorrow she’ll be guiding her first solo tour. She will run two tours every week and Dan and I will guide one. Katherine tells me she relocated to Kauai to be closer to family and work on sustainable farming/perma-culture projects with the goal of owning a farm and growing all of her family’s food. She brings a passion for food, a welcoming attitude and experience to our food tours. She’s a perfect fit for us, but I’ll let her tell you more! My name is Katherine and my husband, Roel Faber, and I have recently made Kauai our home! I grew up in Virginia and in 2011, graduated from the…

Earlier this year, chef Todd Mohr joined Dan and I on our North Shore Kauai Food Tour. Chef Todd travels  the world, looking for great food, and teaches online cooking classes. We thought we’d share his experience with you, even though some of the stops are no longer on our tour.

Sponsored post May 20th is Edible Hawaiian Islands’ Statewide Farm Day, and they’ll be heading out to meet Hawaii’s growers. You can join the fun by visiting a farm, taking a farm tour with your family or shopping at a farmers market. On May 20, share your experience on social media and use the hashtag #EHIFarmDay17. They’ll be tracking Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for great photos and stories. Help them build the buzz and spread farm-fresh love across the state! For a list of ideas, download a free copy of the Edible Hawaiian Islands 2017 Farm Guide.

CeeLo Green has five Grammy Awards, a BET Award, a Billboard Award, and a Brit Award. Photo courtesy of Ocean Aid Hawaii. Ocean Aid Hawaii, a benefit concert, debuts in Honolulu on Sunday, April 30 with the goal of eradicating plastic pollution from the ocean. The outdoor music and arts festival with the motto “Love…

Kauai ginger being harvested. Daniel Lane photo I never thought a love for food would make me sick. Truthfully, it wasn’t food that made me ill, it was the lengths I went through in the name of good food. After trying several remedies, my recipe for a simple tea was most effective at providing relief. The…