Chef heads to national contest

Gary Marcos, a utility chef at the Halekulani Hotel & Resort, is competing Saturday in the 2013 Best Young Chef finals in Chicago. The competition is sponsored by the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

Marcos won the Hawaii/Pacific Islands regional title May 22.

Competitors will plan, prepare and plate three courses in four hours using mystery ingredients. The winner will travel to Istanbul in September for the international finals.

Marcos, of Waipahu, graduated from the culinary program at Leeward Community College and worked at Poke Stop, Ola at Turtle Bay and The Grove before moving to the Halekulani.

The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs promotes excellence in the hospitality arts.

Enjoy free donuts at Regal Bakery

It’s all about giving Friday, when all locations of Regal Bakery — 100 N. Beretania St., 3040 Ualena St. and the McCully Shopping Center — will give customers a free donut to celebrate National Donut Day.

The giveaway marks the bakery’s annual benefit for the Salvation Army, when a percentage of the day’s sales will be donated to the organization.

U.S. team picks isle gelato maker

Dirk Koeppenkastrop, owner of IL Gelato Hawai‘i, has been selected for a five-member team representing the U.S. in the World Gelato Championships in Italy in January.

Dozens of teams will be competing. The U.S. has competed in the contest, held every two years in Rimini, Italy, since 2007.

Koeppenkastrop said the U.S. team will feature Hawaii flavors during the contest.

Films spotlight local food efforts

Learn about the local-food movement when Haleiwa Farmers’ Market screens the free Taste of Summer Film Series at its Wai­mea Valley location. Screenings run at 7:30 p.m.

» Thursday: "Ingredients Hawaii" profiles farm-to-table efforts.

» July 11: "Seeds of Hope" explores ways Hawaii can be self-sufficient in food.

» Aug. 1: "Truck Farm" features urban farmers around New York City.

The screenings follow the farmers market, held 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays.