The Ultimate OCEAN Cocktail Showdown
What’s a winning recipe for an awesome event? Combine equal parts Ocean Vodka, celebrity chefs and charitable giving, shake it all up and serve immediately on the rocks at a stunning beachside location…
Earlier this year, Ocean Vodka invited cocktail aficionados to submit cocktail recipes using Ocean Vodka and following a ‘Farm to Table’ theme. On Saturday, April 11, the six finalists will be creating their drinks for The Ultimate OCEAN Showdown at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa in Kaanapali! Guests, along with a panel of judges, will be asked to vote for their favorite cocktail, with the winning cocktail named Ultimate OCEAN Cocktail and to be featured on all cocktail menus on property for a year! The recipe creator will also receive a $500 cash prize and a three-night stay at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.
Pineapple Express by James Shoemaker of Dazoo Restaurant, Photo by me, (too bad you can’t vote for best photograph, right? Maybe next year…)
To view the final six recipes, click here!
“We are thrilled to be hosting our 2nd annual Ultimate Ocean Vodka Cocktail Contest this year with our partners at the Sheraton Maui,” said Shonna Pinheiro, Director of Marketing, Events and Tourism for Ocean Vodka. “Recipe submissions tripled this year versus last year!”
In a new twist on the event this year, each finalist has been paired with a celebrity chef, who will create a dish to pair with the cocktail. Guests will also get a chance to vote on on the Best Chef Creation and the Best Food Pairing for the evening.
The event will also be a benefit for six island non-profits, with $25 of each ticket sale going towards the ticket buyers’ choice of non-profits. In addition, each non-profit will be paired with a cocktail, and the organization paired with the winning cocktail will receive a portion of the cocktail’s sales from the next year!
Cucumber Cooler by Daniel Vincent of Austin, TX!
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Jimi Canha, followed by CrazyFingers. Event ticket holders will also have free entry to the Afterparty at Black Rock Lounge.
“The Ultimate Ocean Showdown is a great community event celebrating the talents of creative mixologists and celebrity chefs, local nonprofit organizations, and entertainers alike for a fun evening full of passion on Ka‘anapali Beach,” shared Brian Hunnings, the Sheraton’s Executive Assistant Manager.
Here’s the list of this year’s finalists, presented with cocktail name, hometown, paired chef, and paired non-profit:
Waiona by Amie Fujiwara of Honolulu
Ross Steidel’s Poi Dog (Lahaina, Hawai’i) – Alex Le from The Pig and the Lady in Honolulu Oahu – Make-A-Wish Hawai’i
Amie Fujiwara’s Waiona (Honolulu, Hawai’i) – Sheldon Simeon from Migrant in Wailea Maui – Whale Trust
Allison Bellows’ Pele’s Pineapple (Waialua, Hawai’i) – Will Chen From HiFreshBox in Manoa Oahu – Imua Family Services
Victor Mendoza’s Napili Tini (Lahaina, Hawai’i) – Shawn Gavin from the St. Regis Princeville Kauai – Grow Some Good
James Shoemaker’s The Pineapple Express (Kihei, Hawai’i) – Hank Adaniya from Hank’s Haute Dogs in Kaka‘ako Oahu – Hui O Wa’a
Daniel Vincent’s Cucumber Cooler (Austin, Texas) – Lee Ann Wong from Koko Head Café in Kaimuki Oahu – Women Helping Women
Event Details –
- Location: Ocean Lawn, Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa
- Time: 6-9pm
- Date: Saturday, April 11, 2015
- Cost: Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door, with $25 going to your choice of six selected charities! Or you can upgrade to a VIP table for 10 for only $1,000!
- Buy Tickets Here (will be directed to Honolulu Box Office website – scroll down for the showdown event!)
- And make sure to follow Ocean Vodka on Facebook for lots more on the event!
Maui Made 