The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival brings the ONLY culinary and agriculture extravaganza for families to Oahu’s westside
HONOLULU, HI (July 25, 2024) – The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival’s® (HFWF) annual family Sunday event, HMAA Presents Keiki in the Kitchen®, will take place on Sunday, August 4 from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Wai Kai. Attendees can look forward to a variety of engaging activities and interactive experiences designed to inspire and educate young chefs including, chef demonstrations, cooking challenges, hands-on culinary activities, and opportunities to meet celebrity chefs. Designed to inspire budding home chefs, keiki ages 4-17 can register to decorate cookies with Netflix’s “Is It Cake?” star Justin Salinas, assemble spam maki rolls with Food Network Star Jet Tila, learn to build cake in a jar treats with “Kid’s Baking Championship” host Duff Goldman, and make kid-friendly profiteroles (cream puffs) from cookbook author Priya Krishna’s new kids’ cookbook, “Priya’s Kitchen Adventures”—available for purchase with activity tickets.
In addition to the ticketed hands-on activities, the event will include an opportunity to make your own li hing or guri guri gummies with Chef Roy Yamaguchi and pick your own local fruits like Dole pineapples, and Maui’s finest watermelons and limes from Mahi Pono and Maui Gold pineapples to take home. The annual Hawaii Gas Presents Localicious® Recipe Contest Cookoff will return to the event and showcase the culinary talents of aspiring young chefs in a cooking competition judged by an esteemed panel of industry experts. This year’s theme, “What would you like to see on your school lunch plate?”, will feature original recipes highlighting locally-sourced ingredients created by keiki in grades 7-12. The action heats up on the mainstage when Food Network sensations Duff Goldman and Jet Tila bring their expertise to the Keiki in the Kitchen Cookoff—a friendly culinary challenge and live demonstration for all ages. In addition, two newly announced chef demonstrations with local favorites, chefs Jon Matsubara of FEAST by Jon Matsubara and Ronnie Nasuti of Tiki’s Grill & Bar, will teach families the tips and tricks to the perfect game day snacks and how to prepare dinner in under 30 minutes like the pros! Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to grab selfies and autographs from their favorite celebrity chefs.
Back by popular demand, the Kids Foodie Fest grand tasting will offer a unique opportunity for our youngest foodie fans to explore a world of flavors. Six local chefs craft imaginative, kid-friendly creations sure to ignite a passion for food and cooking. Every food station promises an explosion of delightful flavors that are sure to excite kids and parents alike. The Kids Foodie Fest chef lineup includes Shaymus Alwin, Royal Hawaiian Hotel; Brandon Hamada, Hamada General Store; Dean Kamiya, Kani Ka Pila Grille; Keaka Lee, Kapa Hale; Trevor Luke, Zippy’s; and Jeremy Shigekane, Prince Waikiki.
Admission for HMAA Presents Keiki in the Kitchen is FREE. Hands-on activities with Duff Goldman, Jet Tila, Priya Krishna and Justin Salinas are SOLD OUT. Tickets for Kids Foodie Fest are $35 (ages 4-17) and $60 (ages 18+). Support for HMAA Presents Keiki in the Kitchen® is provided by Hawaii Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program.
Visit hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com to purchase tickets and view the schedule of events, lineup of participating chefs and more. Stay connected—follow HFWF on Instagram @HIFoodWineFest/#HFWF24 and Facebook at @HawaiiFoodandWineFestival.
For Press & Media inquiries, please contact:
Kristen Lau-Grover, Director of Marketing & PR | [email protected] or 808-721-1849
ABOUT HAWAII FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, a program of the nonprofit organization—Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance—is the premier epicurean destination event in the Pacific. The Festival features a roster of more than 150 internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, sommeliers, mixologists, and wine and spirit producers. Co-founded by two of Hawaii’s own James Beard Award-winning chefs, Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, the Festival showcases culinary experiences, wine tastings, cultural engagement and exclusive dining opportunities with dishes highlighting the State’s bounty of fresh, local produce, seafood, beef, poultry and spices. Since 2011, the Festival has given nearly $5 million to support local beneficiaries committed to culinary and agricultural education, sustainability and cultural programs in Hawaii.
ABOUT HMAA
HMAA is one of the most trusted local insurance companies by Hawaii employers and has been committed to helping businesses save on health insurance costs for over 35 years. More than just a health plan, HMAA serves thousands of employers and their members by providing value-added products and superior customer service with aloha. HMAA’s medical plans cover traditional and alternative care including chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathic care, and massage therapy. Additional HMAA benefits include dental, prescription, vision, life insurance, innovative wellness programs, and free access to their HiDoc® telemedicine service.