HFWF Announces Thirteenth Annual Lineup of Events–October 13-November 5, 2023

HONOLULU, HI (May 10, 2023)—The highly anticipated Thirteenth Annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival^® (HFWF) announced an impressive lineup of events coming to Hawaii this fall. Widely recognized as the premier culinary destination event of the Pacific, the three-weekend festival will take place October 13^th through November 5^th, 2023 across three islands—Kaanapali, Maui, the Island of Hawaii and Oahu—making it the largest food and wine festival in the state of Hawaii. 

This year, the Festival will feature more than 90 world-renowned chefs and culinary leaders showcasing the diversity of Hawaii’s rich agricultural offerings and elevating the profile of local culinary talent. Joined by dozens of celebrated winemakers, sommeliers and mixologists, the Festival boasts a roster of nearly 150 global tastemakers at 11 events ranging from walk-around tastings with VIP gourmet experiences to wine-paired dinners, brunches and more. 

Co-founded by two of Hawaii’s James Beard Award-winning chefs—Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong— HFWF23 will feature the talents of notable celebrity chefs and emerging culinary professionals from coast-to-coast, as well as international chefs from Canada and New Zealand. 22 chefs new to the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, including Shirley Chung, Tyler Florence, Tara Monsod, Aarón Sánchez, Cedric Vongerichten, Jeremiah Stone and Fabian von Hauske join HFWF veteran chefs like Chris Cosentino, Brandon Jew, Raphael Lunetta, Robynne Maii, Masaharu Morimoto, Helen Nguyen, Jason Peel, Martin Yan, Sherry Yard and many others.

The Festival prides itself on spotlighting Hawaii as a center for purposeful cultural endeavors, connecting all aspects of Hawaii’s cuisine, culture and cultivation through world-class culinary experiences. With a requirement that all chefs create a dish using local ingredients sourced from Hawaii’s farmers, ranchers and fishermen, the festival creates opportunities for the visitor industry to directly support local agriculture—vital in the state’s efforts towards food security in the Islands. Celebrating the Festival’s 13^th year is a theme that looks to the future of HFWF, Lucky 13, which means ‘assured growth’ and ‘definitely vibrant’ in many Eastern cultures—true of the ever-evolving industries supported by HFWF.

“Last year, the Festival was not only able to spotlight Hawaii as a culinary destination and support local agriculture, but became a platform to showcase the work of artists and artisans—makers, musicians, performing and visual artists—to rebuild vital industries in Hawaii,” shared Denise Yamaguchi, HFWF Chief Executive Officer. “We’re excited to continue this work in conjunction with the support we provide to local aina-based and community organizations committed to culinary and agricultural education, sustainability and cultural programs.” To date, HFWF has donated $3.5 million back to the community in support of these efforts.

The 2023 Festival events will include fan-favorites like the return of the beloved beachside grand tasting after three long years—First Hawaiian Bank Mastercard^® Presents House of Blanc & Rouge at Ko Olina, and the signature wine-centric grand tasting at the Hawaii Convention Center—Hawaiian Airlines Presents Crush’d. New to this year’s lineup are two brunch events—a fitness brunch with BURN Collective’s Maria Chase and a dim sum brunch walk-around featuring Feng Shui and energy reading activities. In addition, a panel discussion featuring chefs Monique Fiso, Sean Sherman, and Crystal Wahpepah—leaders in the effort to revitalize indigenous food systems—will follow the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel grand tasting event, Indigenous World Cuisines. Additional events will be announced in the coming months.

Pre-sale for HFWF23 tickets begins May 10^th through May 16^th and is available exclusively to First Hawaiian Bank Private Banking customers. Private Banking customers must use their First Hawaiian Bank personal Mastercard^® credit card to purchase. First Hawaiian Bank personal Mastercard^® cardholders will be granted Priority Access tickets (early entry at 5:00 P.M.) for the General Admission (entry at 6:00 P.M.) price to select events when they use their First Hawaiian Bank personal Mastercard^® to purchase. Applicable events are Ocean’s 13, Far East Street Ph’east and First Hawaiian Bank Mastercard^® Presents House of Blanc & Rouge at Ko Olina.

Ticket sales open to the general public on Wednesday, May 17. The schedule of events and participating chef line up for the Thirteenth Annual Festival is available online at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com. Stay connected—follow HFWF on Instagram @HIFoodWineFest/#HFWF23 and Facebook at @HawaiiFoodandWineFestival. Since its launch, HFWF has raised $3.5 million to support local agricultural and culinary programs.