KCC instructor wins national award

Kapiolani Community College’s chef-instructor Gale O’Malley is the recipient of this year’s Joseph Amendola Award, a first for a Hawaii chef.

The award, presented by the American Academy of Chefs, recognizes a pastry chef or master baker dedicated to his field and who mentors others.

O’Malley was executive pastry chef at the Greenbrier Resort and the Hilton Hawaiian Village before joining KCC’s program. In 1981, he was the first American-born pastry chef to receive the Medal of the French Government’s grand prize for pastry. He was also part of the U.S. Culinary Olympic Team.

Amendola was a cookbook author and educator at the Culinary Institute of America.

Herb class offers alternatives to salt

Looking to lower the salt in your dishes without compromising on flavor?

Castle Wellness Center’s Eat Well for Life series will focus on "Fresh Herbs for Fresh Flavor" at its next class.

In addition to learning how to incorporate herbs into cooking, students will get tips on growing their own herbs.

The class runs 6 to 7 p.m. April 24 and costs $10. Reservations and payment must be made at least two days in advance. Call 263-5400 or visit castlemed.org.

Festival marks Thai New Year

Celebrate Thai New Year at the Songkran Festival, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand.

Along with cooking demonstrations, food from Champa Thai, Chieng Mai Thai, Payao, Lao Asian Market, Siam Kitchen Express, Ting’s Place, Hong Fa Market and other establishments will be available. Call 456-4176 or 384-9730.

Hawaii Kai center stages food show

The Hawaii Kai Retirement Community is holding a food and products show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 428 Kawaihae St.

Arts and Flavors of Hawaii features more than 20 vendors offering specialty foods, local dishes, plants and handmade items. Visit facebook.com/ artsandflavorsHI.

HUGS fundraiser set

HUGS, a local nonprofit that serves Hawaii’s seriously ill children and their families, will hold its annual fundraiser, the HUGS Love Gala, from 5 to 9 p.m. May 3 at Pomaikai Ballrooms at Dole Cannery. The event will feature emcees Kathy Muneno and Justin Cruz of KHON2 News, a dinner buffet and silent and live auctions of more than 60 items, including an original painting by surf artist Heather Brown, a football autographed by University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, and dinner at Alan Wong’s.

The Locations Foundation and Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council, Kapiolani District, will be honored for their support of HUGS.

The foundation, comprising Prudential Locations’ real estate agents and employees, will receive HUGS’ Corporate Philanthropy Award for donating tens of thousands of dollars and volunteer hours to approximately 105 local charities that service children and families.

The Boy Scouts group will receive the Tommy Holmes Award for its years of facility and beautification projects at the HUGS Center.

HUGS hopes to raise more than $150,000 through the event to fund its programs. Tickets are $300 per person; tables range from $3,000 to $10,000. Contributions of items for the auctions are being accepted. For ticket or auction information, call 732-4846 or email gala@ hugslove.org.

Teddy bears sought

Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii is aiming to set a world record April 26 by collecting a record number of stuffed animals at its 17th annual Teddy Bear Round-Up.

The current record is 6,540, and the organization would like supporters to donate more than 7,000 new or gently used teddy bears or stuffed animals from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Windward Mall’s center court.

TeddyBear Round-Up volunteer chairwoman Elsie Foster said the toys will be used to provide "happiness and comfort" to abused children.

The event will take place in conjunction with a family resource fair offering free fun activities and parenting information. Costumed characters including Kung Fu Panda, Elmo and Pikachu will help collect the donations and pose for free photos.

Call 951-0200 or visit www. preventchildabusehawaii.org for more information.