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Owners Erin Keller and Jose Cortez. Daniel Lane photo Note: In 2017, our blog posts will be less frequent. We’ll continue to update the book and app, but I will be writing a cookbook! I submitted a book proposal to Andy Ross, an agent I met at the 2016 Kauai Writers Festival, and he is now…

Guests play piano and even bring Champagne to celebrate special occasions. Daniel Lane photo The Tea Room at The Gallery evokes a charming, easy going time when things moved a lot slower. Teas, written by hand with colored chalk, are listed on chalkboards that are hung with white ribbon. There’s botanical tea powder by Naikela,…

Join Chef Sheldon Simeon of Tin Roof Maui at Merriman’s Fish House in Poipu on Dec. 18. This blog post is sponsored by Edible Hawaiian Islands. Two farm-to-table events in Hawaii will go toward a good cause. On Friday, Dec. 9, the Hawaii Island Paina takes place at Merriman’s Waimea with guest chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi of Oahu….

Any Kind Eggs ($18) with “Add the Works” and “Make it A Meal.” Daniel Lane photo On Sept 24, word spread across social media that Trees Lounge was closing after nine years of business. Kauai’s residents and loyal visitors were distressed to learn the news. After all, they’d became accustomed to the only place in…

The Lanai, located at the Shops at Kukuiula, is now open and serves Napa inspired food in a contemporary Hawaiian setting. Daniel Lane photo The Lanai opened just before Thanksgiving, on Nov. 20, 2016. Owners Howard Warner and Jeff Sacchini built the outdoor restaurant as an extension of Living Foods Gourmet Market & Cafe. The…

Jennifer Bryant of The Club at Kukui‘ula is named Kauai’s Best Bartender. Photo courtesy of RumFire Poipu Beach Last night, RumFire Poipu Beach declared Jennifer Bryant of The Club at Kukuiula champion of the Kauai’s Best Bartender competition. In the contest’s second year, 16 finalists from the island’s food and beverage industry were challenged to…

Links of chipolata being made during François’s 2014 workshop. Daniel Lane photo. Charcuterie is a French word for prepared meat products, which includes deli meat, bacon, sausages and pate. I was introduced to the craft in 2014, when I wrote a story called “The Pig Gig.” Ron Miller, owner and executive chef of Hukilau Lanai,…

Harvesting kalo on the north shore of Kauai. Daniel Lane photo Malama Kauai will host a Canoe Plant Festival on Sunday, October 16, to celebrate National Farm-to-School Month. The event, which is from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., will take place at their farm on Kalihiwai Ridge and showcase traditional food harvests. Polynesians brought nearly 30 plants…

(From left) Joe Fox, Michael Young, Rodman Machado, Sean Smull, Thomas Fuquay, Ron Miller, Adam Watten, Eric Sudeth. Daniel Lane photo. On a bright Saturday afternoon, Ron Miller strides into our cooking tent wearing a crisp white chef jacket with short sleeves. His restaurant, Hukilau Lanai, is embroidered across his left breast and a black…

Maloo (ma lo oh), or “Brown” coconuts (13 to 16 months) are fully mature seeds traditionally used to make coconut cream. Daniel Lane photo. Kauai chefs will use local ingredients during the Tasting Kauai Coconut Cook Off this Saturday. To challenge them even more and open their creativity doors, the chefs will be surprised with additional ingredients from…

Joey Gottesman, an Oahu-based mixologist. Daniel Lane photo. This Hawaii coconut rum cocktail recipe features Koloa Coconut Rum, an ingredient that eight chefs will use during the Tasting Kauai Coconut Cook Off. Since Koloa Rum is celebrating their 7th anniversary this month, I’ve also included four fun-rum events that save money and will tickle your palate….

Tasting Kauai Coconut Cook Off Saturday, Oct. 1 12:30 to 4 p.m. Kapaa Beach Park Free admission Add one part Top Chef, one part Chopped, and one part Iron Chef, and you’ve got the Tasting Kauai Coconut Cook Off. The event is the first of its kind, and debuts at this…