A Food Legend Visits The Kahala
Wednesday - April 20, 2011
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When The Kahala resort and Spa kicks off Easter weekend this Friday, guests may be in for some of the most stunning food and wine pairings of the year. It’s the first appearance in the islands for James Beard award-winning chef cindy Pawlcyn, to whom I could devote pages, rather than just one column.
You might recognize Pawlcyn from Bravo TV’s Top Chef, or from her widely acclaimed cookbooks that include Big Small Plates, The Fog City Diner Cookbook and Cindy Pawlcyn’s Appetizers. or you might just know of her as one of the founders of the “farm to table” movement. a passionate cook who began learn-ing her trade when she was just 13 (and owned her own catering company before she left high school), she worked with culinary greats James Beard and Julia child, among others, as she learned her trade. She’s largely regarded as the founder of Napa cuisine and was involved in opening one of my favorite spots, Tra Vigne, in beautiful St. Helena.
As you might imagine, she’s taking great pains to make sure her culinary debut in Hawaii is as impressive as her lengthy bio.
“She has been incredible to work with,” says Kahala’s executive chef Wayne Hirabayashi. “She’s interested in all the food in Hawaii, wants to go to the fish auction, the farmers market and check out the local restaurants. you can tell she’s really excited about being here.”
What’s exciting for guests is that wine pairings have already been done - and redone - to ensure a high level of palate pleasing. Pride Mountain Vineyard owners Stuart and Suzanne Bryan are neighbors of Pawlcyn’s, and traveled to cindy’s Backstreet Grill in St. Helena to “try out the wines.”
“It’s going to be one of the best paired food and wine events we’ve done,” says Hirabayashi. “The whole kitchen staff is excited about the menu.” one reason is master of ceremonies for the weekend, Fred Schrader. regarded as a man with something of a magic touch in the wine industry, Schrader consistently produces award-winning cabernets in california - tough when you consider the competition. Between Pawlcyn and Pride Mountain (consistently named among Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines) it looks like a perfect weekend.
Don’t worry if you can’t make the grand Saturday night dinner, there’s a five-course pairing on Friday night, a cooking class with Pawlcyn on Saturday morning, and a chance to relax beachside in the company of cigar aficionado Michael Herklots late on Saturday night.
Who needs chocolate and an Easter bunny when there’s all this on the menu?
For more information and tickets, see kahalaresort.com
Happy Easter eating!
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