There are a lot of great foodie events on Maui, and even more fundraising events. And I mean the kind of events that visitors plan their trip to Maui around, or save their ‘dining out’ budget for the year to attend. But in terms of really memorable food, this event really takes the cake ballroom-sized dessert bar. (ok, the year I attended their was a dessert bar the width of the entire ballroom)
This year’s Noble Chef takes place on Saturday, October 26 at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. The event serves as the largest annual fundraiser for the Maui Culinary Academy, part of the UH Maui College.
(Photos are from the 2012 Noble Chef, by photographer Peter Liu of Kaiscapes )
The Noble Chef features a mentorship program that pairs a culinary student with one of Maui’s celebrity chefs (and luckily, we have a lot).
Noble Chef 2012
This year’s event, which carries the theme of “The World on a Plate”, will begin with a celebrity chef-designed reception menu spanning the culinary “hot spots” of the world, including Japan, Vietnam, Morocco, Spain, Great Britain, India, Greece, New Zealand, and Mexico.
After the reception, guests will sit down for a multi-course gourmet French dinner and dessert prepared by MCA’s faculty chefs.
An elegant display at last year’s Noble Chef
Wine and spirits throughout the evening are provided by Young’s Market Company of Hawai‘i, Ocean Vodka, and Maui Brewing Company.
Ocean Vodka will make another appearance in 2013!
In addition to preparing the evening’s meals together, the celebrity chefs and the students they mentor spend several days together beforehand in an intimate learning exchange, providing invaluable hands-on experience for MCA students. This year’s celebrity “noble chefs” are:
- Chef Greg Gaspar, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.
- Chris Kulis & Brian Etheredge of Capische?
- Brett Martin of Andaz Maui at Wailea
- Lyndon Honda of Laulima Events & Catering
- Marc McDowell of Makena Resort Maui
- Anton Haines of Pacific‘O
- Bret Pafford of Gannon’s
- Wes Holder of Pulehu, an Italian Grill
- Bryan Beneke of Four Seasons Maui Resort
MCA faculty chefs include Jake Belmonte, Tom Lelli, Craig Omori, Jeff Scheer, Theresa Shurilla and Christina Pafford.
The 2013 Noble Chef (the 17th annual!) is presented in partnership with the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui and Youngs Market Company of Hawai‘i.
The event begins with a VIP reception at 5pm, followed by a full reception at 6pm, and an elegant gourmet dinner with entertainment and auction at 7pm. Tickets are $250 for preferred seating and $185 for general seating. Table sponsorships begin at $3,000.
For more information about The Noble Chef event, visit: http://noblechef.maui.hawaii.edu
To learn about the Maui Culinary Academy, visit http://www.mauiculinary.com
Maui Made 
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