If you are not already in Hawaii, or at least on your way, this is pretty short notice. But it sounds like fun! The 8th annual Maui County Agricultural Festival takes place on the Maui Tropical Plantation in Wailuku this Saturday, April 4th. The festival’s goal is to raise awareness of Maui agriculture by bringing local farmers, ranchers, food producers, and chefs together in a festive environment where they can talk story (Hawaiian for chat) with the public and demonstrate their unique talents.
One festival event will take place this Thursday evening at the Maui Culinary Academy: the Maui Chefs’ Collaboration Dinner, prepared by many of Maui’s top locavore chefs. Your $89 fee will cover all food and entertainment. It’s sure to be a memorable event. Purchase tickets here.
On Saturday, you’ll want to attend the Grand Taste at the festival, starting at 3:30 p.m. 12 Maui chefs will pair up with a local farmer or rancher, and each pair will design a “bite,” six protein-based and six vegetable-based. Talk story sessions will also take place with the participants. Purchase tickets to this event here.
There will be plenty of farm-to-table food booths at the festival, as well as a farmers market. Enjoy the live chef’s challenge competition at noon, sort of like Iron Chef. You’ll also have the opportunity to tour a working farm, and visit with farm animals. Experts will be on hand to teach you about composting or to answer your gardening questions, and there’ll be barnyard games, farm activities, and an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Live Hawaiian musical performances, including Taiko drummers, will take place throughout the day. For more information, see the festival website.
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