Celebrate All Things Chocolate on Hawai’i’s Big Island May 7-9

by | Apr 7, 2015 | Travel Bytes

Fairmont Orchid, Hawai'i

Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i

Aloha Chocolate! The Big Island Chocolate Festival, May 8 – 9 at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i on the Kohala Coast, celebrates the island’s cacao industry with seminars, demonstrations, tastings, a student chef competition, chocolate dessert demonstrations, and more. Festival attendees can learn about the tree-to-treat process during the seminars and tour of a working cacao farm and chocolate soap factory.

Valrhona Chocolates | Photo by Shortini Photography

Valrhona Chocolates | Photo by Shortini Photography

To set the festivities off in style, The Feeding Leaf, a leading event planner run by an executive chef and agricultural partner, is presenting a seven-course “Chocolate Soiree” at Kokoleka Lani Farms featuring sweet and savory dishes prepared by noted chefs including Stanton Ho, Clayton Arkawa, and Scott Hiraishi assisted by culinary students.

Fairmont Dessert | photo by Shortini Photography

Fairmont Dessert | photo by Shortini Photography

You’ll also sample delectable chocolates from The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory. Seating is limited. Cost of $125 per person includes specialty cocktails and wine pairings. Click here for information and reservations,

Fairmont Savory | Photo by Shortini Photography

Fairmont Savory | Photo by Shortini Photography

While the festival is designed to promote the Big Island’s cacao industry, it is an educational and tasty experience for cacao aficionados everywhere. “The Big Island Chocolate Festival offers everything from planting to plating,” says Kona Cacao Association President Farsheed Bonakdar. “It inspires our student and professional chefs while encouraging our island cacao farmers and chocolatiers.”

Hilton Waikoloa Village entry won People's Choice Award | Photo by Shortini Photography

Hilton Waikoloa Village entry won People’s Choice Award | Photo by Shortini Photography

Saturday events include two “How To Make Your Own Decadent (but Simple) Chocolate Dessert Creation” demonstrations presented by celebrated chefs Derek Poirier of Valrhona Chocolate, USA and Stanton Ho; host of seminars; and tour of Kokoleka Lani Farms, a five acre working cacao/coffee farm and soap making factory in Keauhou Mauka to see how cacao is grown, cultivated, used for chocolate and how the spent roasted casings are made into its famous chocolate soap. Watch video. 

Chef Donald Wressell preparing chocolate sculpture. | Photo by Shortini Photography.

Chef Donald Wressell preparing chocolate sculpture. | Photo by Shortini Photography.

A student chef competition, professionally-judged taste off, gala fundraiser and silent auction complete the two day festivities.  festivities. Proceeds benefit the Kona Pacific PublicCharter School, “Equip the Kitchen” campaign and scholarship funds for the new Hawaii Community College-Palamanui.

The Fairmont Orchid is also offering a special room package for attendees. Call the Fairmont at 1.800. 257.7544 and ask for the “Big Island Chocolate Festival” package. http://www.fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii

Go to www.bigislandchocolatefestival.com for details and event registration.

 

 

Farmhouse Inn Sonoma Ready for Fall Festivals

by | Aug 31, 2014 | Travel Bytes

In California’s renowned Sonoma wine country, which was relatively undisturbed by the recent earthquake, is the internationally-acclaimed Farmhouse Inn, a dreamy getaway in the Russian River Valley near Healdsburg and Santa Rosa.  With only 18 rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and spa, it is run by Joe and Catherine Bartolomei, a brother and sister team of fifth generation farmers.

Farmhouse Inn

Nearing completion of a $7+ million renovation including the addition of nine new luxury rooms, new spa, fitness center, redesigned pool area, new “outdoor” rooms, and major landscaping enhancements, the new amenities will be welcoming  visitors for the wine country’s series of fall wine festivals.

Dining Room

Dining Room

Farmhouse Inn’s cuisine is exceptional under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Steve Litke and, like many neighboring establishments, utilizes the freshest food sources from local farmers as well as the owners’ ranch. Spa treatments also incorporate spring forest honey and heirloom cider apples from the owners’ ranch with herbs from the Farmhouse Inn kitchen garden. www.farmhouseinn.com | 800.464.6642.

Among the many Fall events is The Sonoma County Harvest Fair which has celebrated the local yield with wine and food lovers from around the globe for more than 39 years. This year, October 3-5 will include three full days of wine tasting with 150+ wineries, food pairings, craft beer and cider tastings, a marketplace, chef demonstrations, workshops, and the annual World Championship Grape Stomp. Admission is free and includes entrance to all events. www.harvestfair.org | 1-707-545-4200. For additional events, go to www.sonomacounty.com.