Local chefs will be decking their culinary stations and pulling out all the stops for the annual ACF Kona-Kohala Chefs scholarship fundraiser, Christmas at Kamakahonu Bay.
Local chefs will be decking their culinary stations and pulling out all the stops for the annual ACF Kona-Kohala Chefs scholarship fundraiser, Christmas at Kamakahonu Bay.
Time is 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on the historic, seaside lu‘au grounds of Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. In the land where palm trees sway, guests will enjoy spectacular holiday-themed fare, jazz by Bill Noble Trio, dancing under the stars, a silent auction, fine wines and handcrafted beers.
Confirmed culinary participants to date include Café Pesto Hilo, Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Daylight Mind Coffee Company &Restaurant, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Huggo’s, Lava Lava Beach Club, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, Pueo’s Osteria, Sam Choy’s Kai Lani, Sheraton Kona Bay Resort &Spa, The Feeding Leaf and Tropical Dreams Ice Cream.
In addition, Chef Fernand Guiot, pastry instructor at Kona’s Hawaii Community College, will create a festive gingerbread display — perfect for fun photos and selfies to share on social media.
Moving to Kailua-Kona for its 26th year, the social event of the season benefits local culinary scholarships. Most recently called Christmas at the Fairmont and Christmas at Kona Village, the premier, holiday gala was held at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel in 1995.
“We are thrilled to return the event to this historic location overlooking the lights of Kailua Village,” shared event founder Jean Hull, CCE.
The hotel is offering event attendees a $189 per night room rate for Dec. 5 and 6 that includes breakfast buffet for two and parking for one vehicle. Phone 808-331-6330 and ask for the Christmas at Kamakahonu rate.
Gala tickets are $85 each presale or $90 at the door, or reserve a VIP table seating 10 for $1,000. VIP tables will be treated with specialty pupu by Hawaii Regional Cuisine founding Chef Amy Ferguson and each table will receive a bottle of red and white wine.
Purchase tickets online at www.konakohalachefs.org or at Kailua Candy Company, Clark Realty Kona, Kona Wine Market, Westside Wines Kona, front desk of King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and Bentleys Home Collection in Waimea. Phone 329-2522 for info and to also charge tickets by phone.
American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association: ACF is the largest, professional, non-profit organization for chefs and cooks in the nation.
Founded in 1980, the Kona Kohala chapter is comprised of food service professionals, vendors, growers and culinary enthusiasts; www.konakohalachefs.org.