Top Chefs Hosting Fresh Gourmet Dinner and Farm Tour in Kona

Two award-winning local chefs are partnering with the Wailea Agriculture Group in Hilo to bring the latest in sustainable cuisine to the Big Island June 5 – 6.

Executive Chef Matthew Naula of the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, and Senior Executive Sous Chef Colin Hazama of the Sheraton Waikiki will co-create a fresh produce dinner at the Sheraton Kona on its oceanfront Bayview Grounds at 6:30 p.m.  The dinner event is a continuation of the successful dining and farm tour series that started at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and Ho Farms on Oahu.

Guests are invited to arrive prior to 6 p.m. to meet the chefs and farmers behind the meals.

“We are excited to support local farmers and showcase Hawaii Island agriculture, which acts as a major source of the state’s fresh produce,” said Chef Naula. “Hawaii Island has a unique variety of fruits and vegetables, and our dining and farm tour initiative allows us to prepare this produce with a new level of sophistication that will boost agritourism and delight local ‘foodie’ residents from Kona to Hilo.”

“Hawaii Island has some incredible farm-fresh products, and what we do as chefs really starts with the farmers,” said Chef Hazama. “This particular menu allows us to showcase the very best products from the land and the sea.”

On Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., guests can get a private tour of the Wailea Agricultural Group farm and share a picnic overlooking the Hamakua Coastline.  Tour participants will return to the Sheraton Kona by 3 p.m.  Featured partners of Wailea Agriculture will include Kona Cold Lobsters, Zak’s Living Aquaponics, Tai Shan Farm, Kona Kulana Farm, and Hawaiian Spring Water.

The chef-duo’s Friday evening menu will include the following line up of gourmet dishes:

• “Lemon Verbena Cured Hawaii Kampachi”
  Adaptation farm shiso bavarois, compress konbu, coconut gelee & Wailea ag finger limes
• “Taste of Wailea Hearts Of Palm”
  Raw, Smoked, Braised Soup & Croquette
• “Farms Wagon”
  Baby romaine and Tai Shan Farms Kona coffee compressed dragon fruit
  Wailea ag cinnamon hearts of palm
  Zak’s pickled watermelon radish
  Big Island smoked curry with leaf-scented goat cheese
• “Deconstructed Hawaiian Ciopinno”
  Nutmeg & Clove Smoked Hawaii Abalone
  Kona Cold Mussels and Lobster
  Wailea Ag Roasted Ulu
  HO Farms Tomato Chardonnay Coulis
  Fresh Green Curry
• “Kulana Farms lavender sous vide lamb loin”
  Volcano red cabbage compote
  Minted Wailea Ag Citrus, Wailea Ag Bay leaf peppercorn oil, celery root puree
  Adaptation mysore raspberry gastrique, nasturtium flowers
• “Big Island Meyer Lemon Lilikoi Goat Cheesecake”
  Dark Chocolate Coconut HOP truffle
  Kula Strawberry & Wailea Lychee Confiture

Saturday’s tour and picnic menu at Wailea Agricultural Group farm will include:

• “Wailea Ag Heart of Palm Chowda”
  Leek, Eggplant, Kona Lobster, Finger Lime Caviar
• “Bento box”
  Sandy’s Smoke Meat & Onions: Shichimi Dusted Garlic Ulu Chips
  Tuna Melt: Evans Fresh Tuna & Kim Chee Green Papaya
  Pickled Wailea Ag Hearts of Palm & Zac’s Radish
• “Wailea Ag Spiked Meyer Lemon Lilikoiade & mint”
• “Lunch Pail”
  Hawaiian Spring Water Hamakua mushroom cookies
  Mushroom lilikoi butter & lavosh

The cost of the dinner is $103 inclusive, and $130 inclusive with wine.  The dinner and farm tour with picnic package is $170 inclusive; $200 including wine.  The farm tour and lunch option sells for $103 inclusive.  Ticket prices include transportation, gratuity, and tax, and will be sold through June 4.  Availability is limited.  To reserve a dinner and accompanying farm tour, call (808) 921-4600.

The Sheraton Kona will offer a special room rate of $159 per night to guests attending the event on June 5 – 6 (and seven days before and after).  Reservations can be made by calling 1 (844) 235-6796 and asking for the “Farm Tour” rate.