MEDIA RELEASE

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows welcomes superstar celebrity chefs Michael Symon and Jonathan Waxman to Hawaii for the first ever James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour event to be held in the Hawaiian Islands.

National award-winning cocktail mixologist, Manny Hinojosa, will also make a special guest appearance throughout the weekend as a representative for Grey Goose, and will be creating signature cocktails to complement the cuisine.

The Celebrity Chef Tour is a nationwide series helping to raise money for the James Beard Foundation, which celebrates and preserves America’s culinary heritage and diversity through scholarships, publications, food and beverage industry awards and maintenance of the historic James Beard House in New York City as a venue for special culinary events.

Symon, star of Iron Chef America and other Food Network shows, including the recently launched Food Feuds, owns Lola and Lolita restaurants in Cleveland.

Waxman, best-selling author and star of Top Chef Masters on Bravo, is chef-owner of Barbuto restaurant in Manhattan’s West Village and has graced such prestigious kitchens as Chez Panisse in Berkeley and Michael’s in Los Angeles.

Hinojosa is cocktail consultant to Guy Fieri and regularly makes appearances on Guy’s Food Network shows. He creates his own syrups, juices and garnishes to produce colorful and exotic signature drinks with sophisticated flair.

Both chefs and Hinojosa will collaborate with Mauna Lani’s Executive Chef, Sandy Tuason, who has worked alongside other big names in the business including, Daniel Boulud, David Burke and Andrew D’Amico.

All will visit Hawaii Island farms to handpick the best seasonal ingredients for the weekend. They are describing their menu as “rustic” showcasing what all chefs agree will be the real deal of farm to table cuisine.

The weekend will be a celebration of the laid back Hawaiian lifestyle where good food, good company and plenty of aloha spirit reign supreme. The secluded oceanfront setting of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows will additionally capture the essence of what Hawaii is all about.

WHEN:
* 6-8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21
A relaxed welcome reception and wine tasting with passed canapés. Manny Hinojosa will prepare a specialty Grey Goose cocktail for the evening. Chef Michael and Chef Jonathan will attend as special guests and mingle with guests.

* 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22
A six-course dinner with each chef preparing a different course. Select wine pairings will be presented with each course. Manny will create an aperitif to complement arrival hors d’oeuvres, a special dessert cocktail, plus other surprise drinks throughout the evening. Chefs will introduce their dish, answer questions and mingle with guests.

WHERE:
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, 68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive, Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii

COST:
$300 per person all inclusive for both events
$250 per person all inclusive for chef dinner (Saturday only)

TICKETS:
www.celebritycheftour.com Numbers are limited.

STAY:
Attend the Celebrity Chef Weekend in Hawaii and stay at the luxurious Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows. Attendees can enjoy a 15 percent discount off the Best Available Rate from Jan. 20-25. Contact Mauna Lani reservations on (800) 367-2323 and mention Celebrity Chefs, Island Style!

The Celebrity Chef Tour began in 2004 as a way to bring the unique experience of dining at New York City’s historic James Beard House to cities around the country. At each Celebrity Chef Tour dinner, some of the nation’s top chefs come together to create a fantastic multiple course dinner paired with premium wines, beers, and spirits.

Like at the James Beard House, guests have the rare opportunity to interact with the participating chefs while enjoying the luxurious atmosphere of our nation’s finest restaurants. Each Celebrity Chef Tour meal is a work of artistry and craftsmanship that you won’t soon forget. Proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation’s programming and educational initiatives.

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows is consistently ranked as one of the leading luxury resorts in Hawaii. It is the only independently-owned resort on the Kohala Coast and has maintained its original owners since its opening in 1983. Mauna Lani is also the smallest resort on the coast giving guests an intimate, timeless Hawaiian experience that is personalized, authentic and pleasantly unscripted.

It is Mauna Lani’s cultural and environmental programs that make it truly stand out from others and which has earned it the reputation of one of the “World’s Top Earth-Friendly Getaways” from Conde Nast Traveler.

Mauna Lani is committed to delivering aloha in everything it does and as such takes a stand against hidden resort fees. It is home to the famous CanoeHouse restaurant, the multi-award winning Mauna Lani Spa and the championship Francis II Brown Golf Courses. Mauna Lani is a member of the Preferred Hotel Group recognizing the world’s best independent luxury hotels and resorts.

For reservations call (800) 367-2323 or visit www.maunalani.com