Six Tips for a Better Chocolate Chip Cookie
A classic from a local baker whose chocolate chip cookies had a cult following.
Author: Ed Morita
Brainfood: A reading list for curious foodies
Aside from the usual fitness resolutions that send people flocking to the gym at the beginning of the year, many also take on intellectual goals. These often come in the form of reading lists. Books about food have greatly evolved…
The best things chefs ate this year
Chefs see a lot of great food. No matter where we are, we're always on the lookout for memorable dishes that inspire us to see flavors, ingredients and techniques in different ways. Here are the dishes that stood out for…
Dave Newman’s new cocktail speakeasy is now open
After almost a year in development, Pint + Jigger's Dave Newman has opened his eagerly awaited speakeasy in a secret location in Honolulu. Co-owned by his P+J partners Hideo and Grace Simon and Daryn and Nicky Ogino (partners in Village…
Revisiting Namihana for a shochu worthy of a Banzai toast
In 2015, Frolic hosted its first event called Something New. The event featured chefs tasked with creating dishes that highlighted a locally produced ingredient. As one of the participating chefs, I was given Namihana Hawaiian Shochu as my theme ingredient.…
HIFF foodie film review: ‘Jimami Tofu’
“Jimami Tofu” has all the elements that I love in a foodie film: good food, characters who are passionate about food, and relationships that occur around food. That's why I couldn't figure out why I initially had a hard time…
Michelle Bernstein: How this female chef made it to the top
Celebrity chef and James Beard award winner Michelle Bernstein has been keeping herself busy since arriving in Hawaii. After multiple events with the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, she's now in the midst of a two-night pop-up in Waikiki. Bernstein…
Steamy bowls of comfort at Hawaii Food & Wine Fest
Sponsored It’s easy to get caught up in the haute cuisine and pageantry of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. At any given event, you are sure to find more than a few things that you have never even heard…
Meat sizzling over coals is more than food porn
Be it Japanese yakitori, Filipino lechon, American barbecue or shawarma in a refugee camp near the Syria-Jordan border, every culture has a traditional form of cooking meat over fire. These practices and what they mean to the human race are…
Alex Atala: Brazil’s iconic chef talks poke, poi, cuisine
He’s a two-Michelin-star chef, has a brown belt in Brazilian jujitsu, is an avid spear fisherman and restores and collects vintage motorcycles. He’s created a non-profit that advocates for Amazonian tribes. And he looks like King Leonidas. Alex Atala is the…
D.O.M. chef Alex Atala will be cooking in Hawaii
Photo by Rubens Kato Kapiolani Community College is kicking off its Global Master Chef Series in a big way: Alex Atala, chef and owner of D.O.M., the award-winning restaurant in Sāo Paolo, Brazil, is cooking a pair of pop-up dinners…
Moa-nalo back on the menu
As we approach the 20th anniversary of successfully cloning mice with the same technique used to clone Dolly the sheep, University of Hawaii geneticists have set their sights on bringing back a long-extinct native Hawaiian bird. The moa-nalo, or “lost…
Drool, ramen lovers: ‘Tampopo’ is playing at HIFF
There are many who take their food far too seriously. I admit to doing that on occasion myself. “Tampopo,” which makes a return engagement at the Hawaii International Film Festival, exposes the ridiculousness behind the many food fetishes we have.…
Cyber Monday foodie gift guide
Black Friday shopping? Since 2011, I’ve pretty much avoided it as if it were that drunk uncle at Thanksgiving dinner who has no concept of personal space. As a result, Cyber Monday has become my favorite day to shop for…
A chef’s view: In the kitchen for Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
I’m a baker by trade, and after culinary school and working around the country with great chef-mentors, I had a job as the pastry chef at Longhi’s Ala Moana. Then in 2009 an injury to my right hand forced me…
HIFF review: Foodie films you don’t want to miss
For many, the Hawaii International Film Festival is not only known for great films, it is also synonymous with great food. This year, HIFF features a pair of foodie films that should not be missed. It would be best to…
Our Top 5: Holiday sweets
It’s that time of year again when visions of sugar plum fairies only whet our appetite for more. We need holiday treats studded with candies and chocolate and dusted with snowy sugar, preferably with rum involved. Heck, we don’t even…
Judging the Kraft Tailgate Challenge
One of the rare perks of being a chef and writer is the occasional invitation to judge cooking contests. These are hit or miss. Often the the hardest competitions to judge are when none of the entries really stand out…
Ed’s Top 3: Cyber Monday foodie gift ideas
The madness of Black Friday behind us, we come now to my preferred shopping day, Cyber Monday, where people go online to look for deals. Here are my top three gift recommendations for the foodie in your life. Hedley &…
HIFF review: Food docs to whet your appetite
Food always features prominently at HIFF. This year is no different: There are a trio of food documentaries that will have you planning your next meal before the credits start rolling. “Foodies” Friday, Nov. 13, 5:45 p.m., Dole Sunday, Nov.…
Yelp vs ‘South Park’
It’s brilliant when you look at how last week’s “South Park” Yelp episode has played out on social media. In its wake, a satirical news article about the satirical television show has ended up touching on some real issues that…
#HFWF15: Battle of the Brunch II
Humidity and morning rain weren’t enough to keep away the crowd that showed up for the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival’s Battle of the Brunch II on Sunday. The weather cleared up shortly before, and the three chef teams were…
Off The Wall intentions
I’ve been putting this off for longer than I should. Despite months of planning, hard work and sheer determination to succeed, nothing can prepare you for the unexpected. Amidst questions from friends, colleagues and media, I realize that I can’t…
‘Entourage’ grows up into a worthy big-screen ride
I’ve never been a fan of “Entourage.” Early in the series I found the characters insipid and annoying. Vincent Chase, played by Adrian Grenier, was the worst one of them all. Vince’s aloofness to his success and “everything will work…
HIFF Spring Showcase: ‘Midnight Diner’
Even if you haven’t seen the Japanese television series upon which “Midnight Diner” is based, there is a strange familiarity that draws you into this film, currently screening at the Hawaii International Film Festival’s Spring Showcase. Halfway through, I realized…
Are we Mauna Kea?
Since yesterday, my social media feeds have been inundated with “We Are Mauna Kea” posts, which have left me conflicted. First of all, any movement that identifies itself with a catchphrase has a limited digital shelf life and is forgotten…
Cookbook: Mushroom Soup
I’ve been a longtime connoisseur of cookbooks.Given my chosen field, it’s pretty much a necessity to know what other chefs are doing and to keep up to date with current food trends.Based on what I have seen in the countless…
You can’t buy Hawaiian Shochu … but you’ll taste it at Something New
Something New is a food fest with a twist: Nine of Honolulu’s craziest chefs were paired with local ingredients and challenged to create something new. Savory chefs got sweet ingredients. Pastry chefs got savory. One got a whole cow. Another…
A chef’s view: Soft openings
Disclaimer: The following represents my views only and should in no way reflect upon or be interpreted as the opinion of any past, present or future employers. As unbelievable as it is to me, I have gone through two restaurant…
Course Correction 4: The next step
I never imagined a year ago that I would be where I am. I clearly can recall opening Highway Inn Kaka‘ako, but now it’s time for me to leave Highway Inn to pursue new endeavors, so I’m in the process…
Our Top 5: Pumpkin desserts
Despite being unofficially referred to as, “Turkey Day,” one thing that’s just as integral to Thanksgiving dinner is the ubiquitous pumpkin pie. About a month ago, someone asked me for recommendations on where to get the best pumpkin pie, but…
Glenfiddich 50 Year Old comes to Hawaii
In an exclusive private uncorking event this week, Vintage Cave introduced the newest addition to its prestigious list of offerings — gourmet food, fine wine and now one of the most expensive bottles of whisky in the world. Retailing at…
The legacy of Master Chef Peter Timmins
It is said that the measure of a leader is how many leaders they create. A prime example of this is in the life of Master Chef Peter Timmins. Based on the number of leaders Timmins created during his 40-year…
Course Correction 3: Making waves
This is Part 3 of a series about how I found my way back into the kitchen after a near career-ending injury. Here’s Part 1 and Part 2. While having lunch at the Highway Inn bar with chef Mike Kealoha,…
HIFF preview: ‘The Fishing Club’
Rainy and muggy weather nor questions of will or won’t hurricane Ana hit Oahu didn’t stop the cast and crew of the “The Fishing Club” from gathering Friday night at Kaka‘ako Agora for a preview screening of the film that…
HIFF: China Night Gala
The Hawaii International Film Festival on Saturday launched its fall showcase with its annual China Night Gala. Held at Ward Village Courtyard at the IBM Building, proceeds from the event benefited the newly formed HIFF Foundation.Headed by former HIFF executive…
Party pics: SurvivALOHA Paina
Highway Inn in Kaka‘ako played host to a unique launch party for Brother Noland Conjugation’s new book, “The Hawaiian Survival Handbook.”Featuring food gathered by Conjugation and prepared by the Highway Inn staff, guest were also treated to live performances by…
Brother Noland’s ‘Survival Handbook’
“How to survive a shark attack” and “how to find water” are just a few of the entries included in “The Hawaiian Survival Handbook.” The new book by local musician Brother Noland Conjugation is a compilation of general survival knowledge he…
The Tokachi Food Challenge
The winner of the first Tokachi Food Challenge will be announced at Thursday’s Hawaii Food and Wine Festival event, A Lucky Modern Buddha Belly, at The Modern Honolulu. The Tokachi Food Challenge is a unique recipe contest that invited the…
Course Correction 2: The road back
This is the second part of my story about how I found my way back into the kitchen after a near career-ending injury. Read Part 1.I set a goal — to find a way to cook at the Hawaii Food…
Party pics: Sailor Jerry Hangover Breakfast
Young’s Market closed out the Pacific Ink Expo with a special “Sailor Jerry Hungover Breakfast” that took place Tuesday evening At Downbeat Lounge. Along with breakfast grub, plenty of Sailor Jerry drinks flowed throughout the gathering.Sailor Jerry’s Brand Ambassador Paul…
Course Correction
Recently a friend read my palm and observed that my lifeline forked and then merged, indicating that my life had gone off course before returning to its intended path. Not one to believe in palm reading, I nevertheless couldn’t help…
Party pics: Le Diner en Blanc
The international dining experience, Le Diner en Blanc, took place Saturday night for the first time in Hawaii. Equal parts pop-up and flash mob, guests are brought to an undisclosed location with instructions to bring, a table, chairs, table settings,…
Did this: 2014 Mangoes at the Moana
Summer brings mango season, which means it’s time for the annual Mangoes at the Moana. Chefs from the Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Waikiki, MW, Town, Koko Head Cafe and more were on hand with mango-themed dishes to celebrate the popular tropical…
Summer foodie films
Summer is usually the time for big action blockbusters. However, three foodie films will be making their way into this year’s mix. One mainstream foodie film is a rarity, so having three will be a treat that should not be…
iichiko tasting @ ARTafterDARK
Just before Friday’s Japanese art-themed ARTafterDark, iichiko debuted its new line of shochu at an invitation-only preview — yuzu- and ume-flavored shochu, Blu (exclusive to Hawaii) and the higher-end Frasco. Fruity cocktail drinkers will love the yuzu and ume “Bar…
Hawaii Food and Wine heads to the Target Isle
After last year’s successful inaugural event on the island of Maui, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival will add a one-of-a-kind event to the 2014 lineup.In addition to events on Maui and Hawaii Island, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival…
Party pics: Iron Fist launch party
Young’s Market featured a tasting of their newly acquired line of beers from Iron Fist Brewing Co.People gathered at Bevy in Kaka‘ako for a chance to taste the line of beers, which included colorfully named brews such as Renegade Blong…
Party pics: Pro Bowl All-Star Block Party
Kalakaua Avenue was shut down Saturday night for a for the annual Pro Bowl All-Star Block Party.Thousands of NFL football fan in town for Sunday’s Pro Bowl converged on Waikiki for food, vendor booths and multiple stages of entertainment, which…
Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ not to be missed
The theatrical production of Disney’s “The Lion King” made a triumphant return to Hawaii on Thursday night.After its Hawaii debut in 2007, “The Lion King” begins an eight-week run at Blaisdell Concert Hall.Based on the hugely successful animated feature film…
