Kicking off the weekend in Kapalua
June 12th, 2009 by Melissa
Local avocado and shrimp martini at the Kapalua at sunset
Yes, yes...I'm sorry I didn't tell my Maui readers I'd be coming to Kapalua earlier, but this was kind of a spontaneous thing. I'm here on Maui this weekend for the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival. I've never been to this event before, so I have no idea what to expect!
I have to wake up to this view!
First things first: I think a lot of people were already staying at the Ritz Carlton, so the Kapalua Resort kindly offered me the Villas. If you haven't stayed at the Kapalua Villas before, these are a lot like the townhomes at Princeville. The most important thing is that they have high-speed wireless internet available so I can blog.
I attended a special reception tonight for what seemed like winemakers, sommeliers, and media--kind of a sneak preview of the foods and wines that are to come. The people pouring were quite knowledgeable and were great at telling me what to pair with the pupus the Kapalua Resort had.
At left is a Kona kampachi tower with mango ceviche. One of the layers is a whipped creme fraiche, and I think I had at least two! It was excellent! I was already drinking a Mt. Eden Chardonnay to go with the crab cakes, but the wine went very well with this, too. Actually, Mt. Eden would have stood well on its own, if you are looking to buy it for yourself.
There were actually a few different food stations at this event, with some exceptional items. The Local avocado and shrimp martini featured at the top of this entry was unique in that kaffir lime leaves were in the broth that cooked the shrimp. You got a zesty, spicy, creamy sensation when eating this and then this mysterious lime flavor that is impossible to trace. I think I had at least two of those, as well!
Judy and Emily
This was also a great opportunity to meet some interesting people. Left, Judy Tallant is a pastry chef in Seattle. Her daughter Emily, right, is a sommelier (the beverage director for Kimpton Hotels in San Francisco) and is doing a workshop on Saturday. Emily brought her mom as a birthday gift.
I don't know who this guy is, but I wonder if he's giving the "Raising Reislings from the Dead" workshop? I was too shame to ask, if you can believe it.
I asked him if it was a real tattoo and he winked, just saying that it was about as much commitment as he could give it. Um, yeah.
The event ended early so we could go back to our rooms and get ready for the big weekend. We'll be learning about rare wines, food pairings, cooking with local & organic products, and...hmmm I guess checking out the new Kapalua spa! Can't wait. I'll share my photos with you here, and on my Twitter feed, so keep reading.
Tonight's sunset, brought to you by the Kapalua Resort
June 12th, 2009 at 5:53 am
You're so very fortunate.
Carpe diem.
June 12th, 2009 at 6:47 am
You know that I adore you, but at this moment, you are not on my most favorite person list.
Have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to seeing your tweets!
June 12th, 2009 at 6:56 am
LOL thanks Ed and Cindy! Check my Twitter stream from last night, I have all kinds of twitpics.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Melissa, I envy you. I vent to the Kapalua grand tasting 5 years ago. It is what Bachus had in mind. surfing at 50
June 12th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Good Morning Melissa!
Another pah-tay! you really are a pah-tay animal!
Must really good to be a free lancer, Have a great time!
June 12th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Sweet! This is an event my sister and I want to go to. I think I'll bug her next year.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:23 am
I think you enjoying your unemployment too much. Nah joke. Wishing you well.
Nice report. I saw some of your twitpics. Nice. Send some Hilo. OK Thanks.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Fuud, I mean
June 12th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Wow, Melissa - I'm so J! But thanks for bringing us virtually along for the trip. I'm glad I just had lunch.
June 12th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Your personal view of the many events at the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival will be fun to watch. Keep them coming.
Off topic: You're good at what you do; you should have your own TV show. (But I guess you're having too much fun already).
June 12th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Where can I get those neat posters they hang in your hotel room walls?
June 12th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Hey Melissa!
Ho wow, wassup with the Maui visit and no notice?
Nah nah, it's all good.
wow, so lucky to stay in beautiful Kapalua and then you get to attend the Wine & Food festival!
Make sure you go to Sansei while you're out there!
June 12th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
SeekRat, you'll soon see Melissa not on TV, but on several videos that I will be releasing on http://www.culinarymedianetwork.com from my Honolulu eating tour that Melissa led me on while I was there recently!
Hey Melissa, it's a small world. That mystery man with the Riesling "tattoo" is Paul Grieco, the sommelier and co-owner of Hearth restaurant in New York City. We just recently had lunch with him at an Albarino tasting event in NYC and we posted the video at:
http://www.culinarymedianetwork.com/wines-of-rias-baixas/
I miss you already!!
-ChefMark
June 13th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Sometimes I watch Manolo Morales on TV and think I'd like to trade jobs with him for just one day, but YOU BLOW HIM OUT OF THE WATER! I'm sure it's hard work sampling the finest cuisine, the best wines and rubbing elbows with celebs from near and far, but hey,... somebody's gotta do it. You've worked hard to keep your head above water, it's nice to see some good things come your way.
The pics and write ups are great! Keep it up while I grab another napkin to wipe away my drool...
June 14th, 2009 at 9:22 am
wow, what's not to like! Great food, wine + atmosphere, new friends. Bet the grinds taste even better in person. Thanks for the terrific tale. Enjoyed it all vicariously.