Tasty nominations sought

Nominations are being taken until Sunday for the Second Annual TASTE Awards, to be presented in June.

The Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association is seeking nominees in nine categories: lifetime achievement; large- and small-company manufacturers; startup manufacturer; top product, advocate, supplier and community service; and innovative marketer.

Make a nomination at bit.ly/1NCNMGh. Call 422-4362.

Job training for teens

Teens ages 14 to 17 interested in careers in agriculture, natural resource management, wildlife management or agribusiness are invited to hands-on workshops run by the Hawai‘i AgDiscovery Program.

Students will live on campus and work with the USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine, Veterinary Services, Biotechnology Regulatory Services and Wildlife Services branches, plus the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Hono­lulu Zoo, Kua­loa Ranch, Mari’s Garden and more.

Past participants learned to perform water-quality analysis, identify micro­organisms, extract DNA, tend taro in a loi and more.

Classes are free and run July 12-25. To apply, go to aphis.usda.gov/agdis covery and click on AgDiscovery Program, or call Charles Kino­shita at 956-6997. Deadline is March 20.

Morning meals for robotics

Have breakfast at McDonald’s next week and support the Eighth Annual FIRST in Hawaii Robotics Regional Competition.

From Monday through March 22, order an Egg McMuffin, Egg White Delight or an extra-value meal including those items, and $1 from your order will go to Hawaii’s robotic teams.

McDonald’s will also donate $1,000 to teams that qualify at the regionals, held March 27 and 28 at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, for the world championship next month in St. Louis.

A new way with rice

You’ve heard of donburi and paella. Now try India’s version of a one-pot rice dish, bir­yani.

Vikrant Bhasin will lead a class on cooking bir­yani and pair the dish with a craft beer, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 21 at Lyon Arboretum. Cost is $40. To register, call 988-0456.

Chefs gather for food bank

Hawaii Foodbank’s benefit, "Great Chefs Fight Hunger," will run 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 21 at the food bank, 2611 Kili­hau St.

Preparing dishes for the evening are chefs from D.K Restaurants, Chef Chai at Pacifica Hono­­lulu, Greens & Vines, Koko Head Cafe, HASR Bistro, Le Bistro, 12th Avenue Grill and more.

Tickets are $150, $200 for VIP early entry. Call 836-3600 or go to hawaiifoodbank.org.