BIG ISLAND FESTIVAL
The Big Island of Hawaii has always been one of my favorite destination spots. When I received an invitation to be a celebrity-guest chef for the Big Island Festival, in Waikoloa, you can bet I jumped at the opportunity.
 Some exotic fruits from the Big Island (except for the rambutans which come from Southeast Asia). |
 Chef Willy, the Executive Chef at Hilton Waikoloa Village explains rambutans to the viewer for a television segment. |
There was a plethora of events to attend that fully defined the diversity of the island, from mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean). I was able to celebrate the variety through the food, music, activities, and culture with a total of 156 events from which to choose.
 Josh, Alicia and I at the top of Mauna Kea. |
 Regina, myself, Mason, and Chef Willy- My old friends, Mason and Regina, operate Aloha Video Productions on the Big Island. It was great working with them again! |
The masterminds of the event gathered some of the best and most talented chef's around the country including Food and Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs in America 2002. Combined with Hawaii's own culinary stars and chefs, guests were able to attend culinary seminars, food tastings, and book signings. Chef Wilhelm Pirngruber from the Hilton Waikoloa Village, who recently was featured in Food and Wine Magazine, was one of the lead and host chefs. It was truly my pleasure working with where we filmed a special segment on the fruits and vegetables of the Big Island.
 Chef Willy arranges all the exotic fruits for the television segment. |
 World-renowned chef Andre Soltner, formerly of Lutece in New York, was at the Big Island Festival to prepare a special dinner. |
There I was on one of the most beautiful places on earth with my three best friends. My kids, Josh and Alicia, and my associate producer, Matt, and in between the early morning runs, snorkeling, and a trip to the top of mt. Mauna Kea, I set aside some time to cook with Chef Roy Yamaguchi, and learn some island cooking traditions.
 Danny explains to Roy and I the history of the Hawaiian fish ponds. |
 Josh, Alicia, and Matt at the Hilton Waikoloa Village’s lagoon. |
 Matt, my associate producer, and I in front of the large Buddha at Waikoloa Village. |
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All in all, the weekend was a great inspiration and I will definitely be back next year!
To learn more about the Big Island Festival go to www.bigislandfestival.com and mark your calendar for next year’s festival, November 5-9, 2003.
 Roy, Danny, and I- Danny can play the nose flute. He is 1 of only 3 people on the Big Island who can do so! |
 Roy Yamaguchi and I going over the layout for the television segment. |