PO‘IPU — The Koloa Landing Resort announced that VIP and general admission tickets for the third Kaua‘i Poke Fest are available online by visiting kauaipokefest.com.
VIP tickets include exclusive early access to the poke tasting, and a live poke demonstration with the Godfather of Poke, Sam Choy. Doors to VIP ticket holders open at 3 p.m. on June 3 at Koloa Landing Resort.
General admission tickets include two drink tickets, when the doors open at 4 p.m.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk that sponsors about 60 local nonprofits.
Koloa Landing Resort said more than 20 competitors, both professional and amateur chefs, have registered to compete for the title of Hawai‘i’s Best Poke on June 3. The resort expects hundreds of people to attend the specialty food festival that was voted Top Five by USA Today’s 10 Best Awards.
Poke Festival guests get to sample and judge each unique poke recipe prepared by the professional and amateur chefs. This year’s celebrity chefs include Aaron Sanchez, an award-winning chef, television personality, author and philanthropist, and Ronnie Rainwater, the chief culinary officer at Las Vegas at Emeril’s Restaurants. The celebrity chefs will also cast their votes for Hawai‘i’s Best Poke.
“The Kaua‘i Poke Fest will celebrate Hawai‘i’s favorite dish and its many cultural variations through the recipes of our competitors,” said Koloa Landing Resort General Manager Aaron Bamblin. “From traditional Hawaiian-style poke to poke street tacos, and Mediterranean-inspired poke, we’re excited to celebrate all the flavors and cultures that make Hawai‘i so special.”
Each poke dish will be judged on presentation, originality, and taste. There will be two winners — “The People’s Poke” winner determined by the most votes from the public, and an “Overall Winner” that earn the highest rating by the judges.
The People’s Poke winner will earn a $500 food and beverage credit to the Holoholo Grill located in the Koloa Landing Resort, and a private poolside cabana at the resort’s 350,000-gallon main pool that was voted No. 1 Hotel Pool in USA Today’s 10 Best Awards. The pool earned the distinction for three straight years.
The overall winner will receive a seven-day, six-night stay at Koloa Landing Resort.
Competitors will be provided 20 pounds of poke grade ahi and will incorporate their own ingredients for the unique poke recipe.
Some of the competitors that have already committed to the fest include Michael Alvarez, Rafael Camarillo of the Garden Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn, Reggie Erorita of Friendly Waves, Russell Fernandez of The Beach House, Eliza Fuimaono of Pineapple Express Kaua‘i, John Kelekoma, Koa Kimmerle of Anatta’s Thai Food, George Levendis of Zobras, Ajay Oppelaar of Aloha Bowls, Conrad Palakiko of the Kaua‘i Beach Resort, Sarawut Phiromkaiphak of Myhero Sushi and Thai Food Truck, Taylor Sakimae of Kaua‘i Poke Co., Bryson and Brooke Sugahara of The Dolphin, Po‘ipu, Victor Sundin of the Moa Moa Hawaiian Fish House at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort, Jerrold Tagavilla of the Cabana Bar and Grill and Kaua‘i Party Bar, Kepa Kruse, Grecean Manuel, Meghann Matsuda of Red Eye Snack Shack, Kekila McCullen, Malama Robinson, Raelyn and Ryan Santos, Alex Palacio, Ku‘ali‘i Kamala, and Magic Tan.
A special Kaua‘i Poke Fest room package is available for those traveling between the islands to visit the festival. Visit kauaipokefest.com for reservations.
