KAPA‘A — Lance Duyao of Big Island Candies was still putting finishing touches on his rose display when doors to the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i’s 18th annual Eat Dessert First opened Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach.
KAPA‘A — Lance Duyao of Big Island Candies was still putting finishing touches on his rose display when doors to the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i’s 18th annual Eat Dessert First opened Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott at Coconut Beach.
Duyao, who came in from the Big Island, told Sue Kanoho that he was detained by the traffic to the Waipouli resort.
Katie Beer, a former president of the Zonta Club, said Duyao’s company provides treats for the event every year, and Duyao comes every other year because he likes to travel.
The Big Island Candies display was one of several exhibitors that lined the path leading to the Paddle Room where the offerings of dessert lined the wall.
Beer said this was something new this year, but was effective in tying guests from the Silent Auction which was held in the resort’s meeting room in the front lobby.
Sandy Poehnelt of The Right Slice got help from Aletha Thomas of Monkeypod Jam, and Cynthia Chiang of Kaua‘i Kunana Dairy in distributing a continuous supply of her offering.
“We all work together at The Saturday Market at the Kaua‘i Community College, so we all got together to work this event,” Poehnelt said. “We have to show people that we can step out in style, too.”
Chiang, normally anchoring the Kaua‘i Kunana Dairy tent at the KCC market, was fortunate the Kunana Dairy table was next to Poehnelt, Chiang flitting between the two tables to serve guests that lined the hallway leading to the Paddle Room.
“This is one of the new setup where we have vendor stations,” Beer said. “There’re offerings from Icing on the Cake, The Right Slice, Kaua‘i Nut Roasters, Caffe Coco.”
She said in addition to volunteers from the Zonta Club, the event got help from the Interact Club of Kapa‘a High School, the Leo Club from Kaua‘i High School, and new to this year’s event, the Associated Students of University of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i Community College.
Additionally, Connie Clausen of Zero Waste Kaua‘i was coordinating efforts with volunteer Pat Gegan and getting bus services from Nelson Batalion of the ASUH-KCC in clearing used dishes. Clausen said 98 percent of the items used at the popular event will be recycled.
Inside the Paddle Room, more stations greeted patrons, anchored by a beverage station offering Kaua‘i Coffee.
Sharron Weber of Tire Warehouse, one of the Healthy Dessert sponsors, was the winner of the American Girl prize during the random number drawing, and a scream identified the winner of the Kaua‘i Golf Getaway Package valued at more than $1,200.
Sharon Kai was traced back to the source of the scream as Kanoho read the randomly-drawn number.
Throughout the night, a steady stream of people flowed through the lobby of the Waipouli resort, the Zonta ticket distributors noting “we’ve been very busy, and we’ll take tickets until 7:30 p.m.,” the closing period.
The Mediterranean Gourmet, Living Foods Market, Kalaheo Cafe and Coffee Co., Hanapepe Cafe and Bakery, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, the Regency at Puakea, Kilauea Bakery and Cafe, Mark’s Place and Contemporary Flavors Catering, Mama Lucy’s, Postcards Cafe, Costco, the Kaua‘i Chocolate Company, Kaua‘i Beach Resort, 22 North, Casa di Amici and more provided dessert items which supplemented items created by the Zonta Club members themselves.
“Oh, goodie,” Beer said, noting that next year’s event will be held on Feb. 10, 2012. “Now, we can give away scholarships to our students.”
