Win with watercress

If you’ve got a quick and ono watercress recipe, you could take home $1,000 cash. B&W, the largest watercress grower in the world, is holding the “6 in 30 Watercress Recipe Contest,” open to U.S. residents. Submit any original recipe using up to 6 ingredients that can be whipped up within 30 minutes. Deadline is May 1. For rules, visit www.watercress.com/recipecontestentry.aspx. — Star-Advertiserwin with watercress If you’ve got a quick and ono watercress recipe, you could take home $1,000 cash. B&W, the largest watercress grower in the world, is holding the “6 in 30 Watercress Recipe Contest,” open to U.S. residents. Submit any original recipe using up to 6 ingredients that can be whipped up within 30 minutes. Deadline is May 1. For rules, visit www.watercress.com/recipecontestentry.aspx.

Vino continues wine tastings

Vino Italian Tapas is hosting several wine tastings through the end of the month. To reserve a spot, call 533-4476 or email Sade at svillatora@dkrestaurants.com.

» "The Many Faces of Pinot" (6 p.m. tomorrow): 2007 Lucien Boillot Pinot Beurot "Les Grands Poisots," 2008 Cavallotto Langhe Bianco, Coquillette Brut "Les Cles" Grand Cru NV and 2008 Paul Furst Spatburgunder "Tradition." Cost: $36.

» "A Winetasting with Christian Tietje" (6 p.m. April 22): Paso Robles wines from pedigree vineyards produced in small batches by renowned winemaker Tietje. Lineup and cost to be announced.

» "JustNat Cabernet Sauvignon" (6 p.m. April 30): Owner Gary Schreyer will present his 2003, 2004 and 2005 versions. $21.

‘Taste of Kailua’ brings the flavor

Kailua eateries will be serving up the annual "Taste of Kailua" as part of this year’s "I Love Kailua" town party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday along Kailua Road.

Participants include A Cup of Tea, Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop, Baskin-Robbins, Big City Diner, Bob’s Pizzeria, Buzz’s Original Steak House, Cinnamon’s Restaurant, Crepes No Ka ‘Oi, Down to Earth, Formaggio Grill, Great Harvest Bread Co., Jus’ Right Kettle Corn Popcorn, India Cafe Curry Express, Los Garcia’s Mexican Food, Na ‘Ono, P. Mini Donuts, Pinky’s Pupu Bar & Grill, Tat’s Shaved Ice, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, The Hibachi & Fat Boy’s, and Toko­name Restaurant & Sushi Bar.

Event buttons can be purchased for $3 on site or in advance at the Kailua Longs, First Hawaiian Bank and Hardware Hawaii. Call 234-0404 or visit www.LaniKailuaOutdoorCircle.com.

Cooking classes teach Asian style

Walter Rhee has added new offerings to his monthly lineup of cooking classes, held at Palama Market, 1210 Dillingham Blvd. Cost is $80, cash only. Reservations are required; call 391-1550 or email walter@waltereatshawaii.com.

» "How to make kim chee and related dishes" (5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday): Learn the secrets of making kim chee and how to make such dishes as fried kim chee and kim chee stir fry with pork and tofu.

» "The only Korean cooking class you will ever need" (2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday): Learn the basics of beef bulgogi, barbecue pork, Korean rice dumpling soup (ttuck guek), spicy fried rice cake (ttuck bokki), chap chae, fresh sautéed spicy cucumber (oi moo­chim) and more.

» "Tofu light, tofu bright, I see tofu everywhere tonight" (5 to 7:30 p.m. April 21): Explore tofu recipes from China, Japan and Korea, as well as tofu varieties.

» "Japanese cooking: A simple art" (5 to 7:30 p.m. April 22): Learn cooking tips and techniques not found in cookbooks, specifically pertaining to sautéed and broiled dishes.

» "Ultrafast meals in 19 minutes or less" (2 to 4:30 p.m. April 23): Whip up simple yet savory Asian meals.

» "More ultrafast meals in 19 minutes or less" (2 to 4:30 p.m. April 30): Add to a repertoire of quick and delicious Asian meals.

Rhee also offers "A Cook’s Tour of Chinatown," scheduled for 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. April 23 and 30. Fee is $40. Meet at the intersection of King and Smith streets by Hawaii National Bank. Reservations required.

Isle dishes served to help Japan

Hawaii’s top chefs and entertainers will come together to present "Lei Day for Japan," a fundraiser on May 1 at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

The event, being touted as "a Hawaii cuisine and music extravaganza," will start at 6 p.m. with more than 25 food stations featuring the fare of such chefs as Roy Yama­gu­chi, Alan Wong, George Mav­ro­tha­las­si­tis, Masa­haru Mori­moto, Chai Chao­wa­sa­ree, DK Kodama and more. Plus, wines will be selected by master sommelier Chuck Furuya.

All proceeds will go to the Japan-America Society of Hawaii for donation to the Japa­nese Red Cross Society.

Tickets are $100, $1,500 for reserved tables with seating for 10 and $5,000 for a limited number of VIP tables with seating for 10. They are available at Chai’s Island Bistro in the marketplace. Call 585-0011 or visit LeiDayForJapan.org.

Moms can have day with stars

Take Mom to the 2011 Mother’s Day Brunch with the Stars on May 8 at the Hawaii Oki­nawa Center.

Partake of a prime rib buffet while enjoying entertainment by Makana, Melveen Leed, HAPA, Da Braddahs, the Hono­lulu Boy Choir, Kristian Lei and Miss Hawaii 2011 Jalee Fuselier.

Tickets are $65, $33 children under 12 (infants under a year old must be in a stroller) and available at Blaisdell Center box office, local Ticketmaster outlets including Walmart and the Sports Gear Warehouse at Windward Mall; charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.