Ag Fest?
- Diane Snoey Appler
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
It's a funny story - we first attended about 8 years ago and it was a mudfest! Out in the fields, torrential rains... mud everywhere! These tarps were put down on the walkways to help us navigate. Dining and enjoying the great dishes the chefs made was a challenge between the rain, umbrellas, and mud.
Fast forward to this year, we were on island and grabbed tickets to attend the fest again.
On the way into the event, across the Athletic ball field we spotted this sign. Nice touch!
Sunny with some clouds, breezy and a lively crowd. Livestock - check, Veggie stands - check, assorted Maui made food products -check! Next - voting for our favorite chef!
We saw the tent and lawn where the "Grand Taste" was going to be held and it was surrounded by a huge snaking line and crowd! But we had tickets! Were they oversold? No! They were organized and prepared. As we moved along to enter, the 4-H youths came around with quarters of watermelons locally grown for us to enjoy; the extras from the watermelon eating contest. Good old fashioned fun.
Amazing taste! Watermelon juice dripping vs mud - that worked!
The crowd moved through to the 12 Chef booths in a very brisk fashion. Plates were being laid out and we stepped up.
We sampled more than half of the dishes from the different booths, and went back for seconds, and maybe a couple more....they were small plates, but not tiny. We were stuffed by the time we were ready to vote.
The MC kept it lively and humorous, Hawaiian Pidgin English encouraging everyone to cast their votes for the food that "Broke Da Mouth". It was a serious competition for bragging rights and cash prizes.
John and I picked our two favorites, His choice was Venison Croquette from Chef Alvin Savella of CocoDeck Lahaina. I agreed they were melt in your mouth good! My pick was his next favorite and ... the winner!
This spot, Balai Pata, is along Dairy Road in the shopping center on the way to and from the airport. I suggest you check them out! All chefs achieved winning tastes and picking the winning dish a challenge. If you ever have the chance to be in Maui in June, give it a try. A lot of fun and flavors for a very reasonably priced ticket going to a good cause.
#Maui #Artist is a #foodie! #NOApologies. Support #4-H #MauiFarmBureau
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