Cook right with Wong book, tips

Watch some culinary talents at work at the "Blue Tomato" book signing and cooking demonstration event on Saturday.

Chef Alan Wong will sign copies of his cookbook while chefs from his two restaurants will whip up a couple of dishes. Lance Kosaka of the Pineapple Room will demonstrate Singapore Clams, while chef de cuisine Wade Ueoka of Alan Wong’s Honolulu tackles Mochi-Crusted Opakapaka.

The event is noon to 2 p.m. at Macy’s fourth-floor kitchen, Ala Moana Center. Seating is first come, first served, starting at 11:30 a.m.

The cookbook is $40, with a percentage of proceeds through June 30 going to Tohoku University Hospital in Sendai, Japan. Call 941-2345.

Wine tops the bill at annual festival

It’s been 30 years since the first Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, and this year’s event continues the tradition of bringing together top winemakers, chefs and sommeliers.

The four-day event from June 9 to 12 is themed "A Toast to 30" and features chef Peter Merriman and master sommeliers from around the globe, including Geoff Kruth, Rob Bigelow, Jay Fletcher, Michael Jordan, Andrew McNamara and Larry Stone. A variety of wine seminars will run throughout the weekend.

The grand tasting June 10 will feature international wines and Maui agriculture.

On June 12 Merriman will showcase his regional cuisine at a Farm Fresh luncheon; then the Maui Seafood Festival takes center stage.

A four-day festival pass runs $650, with individual events from $40 to $140. Kamaaina pricing runs through Tuesday; call 665-9160. Visit www.kapalua.com.

French collection focus of tasting

Brush up on classic French wines at a blind tasting June 2 at Vino Italian Tapas & Wine Bar.

The tasting starts at 6 p.m. Cost is $39. Call 533-4476 or email svillatora@ dkrestaurants.com.

Kauai-made rums scoop 2 medals

Koloa Rum Co. won the Gold Medal — Best in Class for its Kaua‘i Dark Rum and a bronze for its Kaua‘i Spice Rum at the Rum Renaissance Festival in Miami.

The Kauai-based company competed before a panel of more than 20 rum experts, against more than 80 other fine rums.

Buy a burger, make a miracle

Saturday is National Hamburger Day, and at Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks at Hookipa Terrace, that’s not just fluff. Order from the “Miracle Menu” through June 12, and 10 percent of what you pay will go to the Children’s Miracle Network. Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children is the local recipient of this national organization, and proceeds generated at the Ala Moana Center venue go directly to Kapiolani. Call the restaurant at 943-6670.