The onions growing on the slopes of Haleakala are so coveted they have a trademark to protect them from imposters. There are only a handful of places on Earth that grow sweet onion, and Maui is one of them. We celebrate our world-famous produce with a shindig at Whalers Village once a year. This year’s bulb-themed blowout will kick off with a five-course dinner, paired with Maui Brewing Co.’s beers and Hula Grill’s Barefoot Brew. I love the drama infused into Hula Grill Chef Scott McGill’s menu; the entree course will feature Lucifer’s Angel Ale served with beer-braised lamb and grilled mahi-mahi with Dungeness crab. The winner of last year’s recipe contest, David Paul, also has a hand in the menu. Even your dessert course features beer, this time with ice cream floating in it. Come back to Whalers Village the next day for the Onion Festival; it’s an all-day event starting at 9:30am. Local chefs Roy Yamaguchi, D.K. Kodama, David Paul and James McDonald will be doing demonstrations, and TV celeb chef Cutty Cutler will teach kids and parents how to make fruit smoothies. Then watch folks compete in the raw Maui onion-eating contest. Music on the beach starts at 1pm with the Air Force Band of the Pacific followed by Benoit Jazz Works and Versatile. Hula Grill: 667-6636; Onion Fest: www.whalersvillage.com/onionfestival.htm
Comments
comments