A week from today, June 8, is World Oceans Day, and the Surfrider Foundation is marking the occasion with the launch of its Ocean Friendly Restaurants program.
Establishments deemed ocean friendly must have good recycling programs and meet criteria for minimizing use of disposable plastic items that often end up as ocean or beach pollution, such as foam plates, straws, plastic bags and bottles.
The nearly 50 restaurants already certified are listed at 808ne.ws/oceanfriendly. Many are offering discounts June 8 to customers who tag the restaurant on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #OceanFriendlyHI.
Food award nominations open
Nominate your favorite restaurant or restaurant-related enterprise for national recognition in the inaugural Taste Talks Food & Drink Awards.
Nominations are being taken in 30 categories, including best food startup, best food-related Instagram account and best nonprofit.
The awards — intended to highlight chefs, restaurants, innovators and food media — will be announced Sept. 26 in a ceremony in New York hosted by television personality Mo Rocca.
“The only thing I like better than eating is awards shows,” Rocca said in a statement, adding, “I hope there’s an ‘In Memoriam’ for all the great meals I devoured in the last year.”
Submit nominations through June 20 at awards.tastetalks.com. Every Friday, those who submit nominees will be entered to win a pair of tickets to the live show.
Chicago chef joins staff at Japengo
Joseph Rose has been named chef de cuisine at Japengo at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa.
Rose is former executive chef at Gwen hotel in Chicago, and has worked at several noted Chicago restaurants, including Sixteen at Trump International Hotel & Tower, where he was running day-to-day operations when the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star, in 2011.
He also has served as chef de cuisine for Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s The Pump Room at Public Chicago, and as executive chef at Lockwood Restaurant and Bar at the Palmer House Hilton, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant.
Events honor Filipino independence day
The Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki celebrates Philippine Independence Day with two events:
>> Filipino Food Fair: Sunday brunch this weekend ($45) and a lunch buffet Monday to Friday ($32) will feature Filipino specialties. Children ages 6 to 10 eat for half price. Call 944-4494.
>> 118th Philippine Independence Day Gala: 6 p.m. June 11 at the Mauna Kea Ballroom includes a Filipino meal and concert. Tickets are $75. Call 392-8230.
Quickbites is a weekly listing of dining events. Email items to crave@staradvertiser.com.
