The first Maui Chefs Invitational kicks off this weekend, bringing a new kind of foodie event to Central Maui. It’s not a coincidence that it’s hosted by Maui Chef du jour Jeff Scheer and the Mill House. His name has become synonymous with expanding our food vernacular, and his Chef’s Tables are already legendary multi-course affairs. Scheer doesn’t seem to get complacent, and this is another step in his journey to elevate our palates and share his culinary gifts.
What’s not new is the idea of chefs coming from abroad to collaborate with Maui’s best. How Scheer makes it fresh is by putting them in an intimate situation, where they explore the verdant landscape for a few days, secretly developing the menus for the three days of events.
Ultimately, this is a step up from Scheer’s usual Chef’s Table–now you have a handpicked elite crew of eight master chefs from the US–three from Hawaii, including himself–putting together elaborate dinners. Patrons will be treated to something extraordinary and unseen as each of the chefs riff off each other, digging into Hawaii ingredients while adding their own taste of home.
Since the menu is secret, let me tell you what we know. The chefs are all incredible, starting with our locals, Sheldon Simeon from Tin Roof will be participating, as well as Lee Ann Wong from Koko Head Cafe in Oahu. Both were contestants on Top Chef, and both are major players in the culinary scene.
Then from New York, we’ll get Francis Derby, Chef of the Cannibal and butchery master. Then there’s pastry chef Maya Ericsson, one of the youngest in the team, who hails from San Francisco’s Lazy Bear. Bradley Kilgore of Alter will bring the Miami heat. Gregory Gourdet from Departure, Portland is known for his dynamic wellness minded cuisine. Lee Wolen, the accomplished attention to detail master chef from Boka Chicago, rounds out the crew.
The weekend affair starts Friday at 5pm and goes through 9pm with the first multi-course dinner. Tickets are $200 to reserve your exclusive space. The ticket price includes admission, food and gratuity but not beverages, so plan accordingly. Cocktail hour starts at 5pm. The event will be held in the outdoor kitchen, where you’re encouraged to watch the chefs and ask questions. This is your time to interact with the chefs. The seating is communal so the opportunity to meet like-minded culinary explorers is great. Saturday’s event is similar to Friday’s. It starts at 5pm with the same ticket price and inclusions (NOTE: for all of these events, no special dietary restrictions can be accommodated).
On Sunday, there will be an open air barbecue celebration that starts at 1pm and goes until 6pm. Tickets will be $65, which again does not include your beverages. Since a stunning selection of Mill House beverages will be available at all of these events, there will be no BYOB.
For more information and tickets, call 808-270-0303 or visit Mauichefsinvitational.com.
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