Highlights from the 9th Annual Mangoes at the Moana Ultimate Mango Throwdown

The 9th Annual Mangoes at the Moana took place on Saturday at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa.

Events that day included a mango contest, a silent auction, a cooking demo, and more, but my personal favorite event of Mangoes at the Moana was the Ultimate Mango Throwdown.

Eight chefs prepared mango-licious dishes:

Savory Ginger Carrot Mango Panna Cotta | Mango Smoked Kampachi | Mango Juniper Berry Gelee | Mango Chili Injector | Mango Chili Salt (Chef James Aptakin - Turtle Bay Resort)

Mango Madness (Chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka - MW Restaurant)

Makaha Mango Chicken Tikka Masala | Mango Spiced Curry with Chicken and Pandan Rice (Chef Keaka Lee - The Pig and the Lady)

Mango "Sognare" - Chilled Cappelini | Mango Gazpacho | Sherry Vinegar | Cayenne Pepper | Shrimp (Chef Hiroyuki Mimura - Taormina)

Mango Bruschetta | Mango-Mac Nut Honey Yogurt | Vanilla Caramel Toast (Chef Lee Anne Wong - Koko Head Cafe)

Grilled Mango Buratta | Mango White Balsamic Agrodolce | Roasted Grape | Nalo Arugula | Basil Oil | Black Lava Salt (Chef Ronnie Nasuti - Tiki's Bar and Grill)

Mango Braised Pono Pork | Coconut Ragout | Kau Corn Pudding Cake | Pickled Mango Kale Slaw (Chef Robynne Maii - Fete)

Fisherman's Mango Coconut Ceviche | Coconut Plantain | Local Micro Herbs (Chef John Salcedo - RumFire)

The winner of this year's Ultimate Mango Throwdown for both Judge's Choice and People's Choice was Chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka - she's a repeat winner!

If you missed Mangoes at the Moana, you still have time to enjoy mango-inspired dishes through the rest of the month, as the Veranda, Beachhouse, and Beach Bar will offer mango dishes, such as the “mango soft shell crab taco” and the“tiki mango cocktail."

For dining reservations or information, call the Dining Reservations Center at 808-921-4600.

Mahalo to Mangoes at the Moana for the complimentary tickets to the Ultimate Mango Throwdown!

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Highlights from the 8th Annual Mangoes at the Moana

On Saturday, one of my sons and I attended the 8th Annual Mangoes at the Moana event at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa.

I went to this event for the first time last year, and I had such a great time!

This year's event once again took place on a beautiful, sunny day.  It was quite hot, but that didn't deter mango fans from attending this culinary event.

I arrived just in time for the Mango Throw Down, my favorite part of the Mangoes at the Moana event. During the Mango Throw Down, 8 local celebrity chefs compete to create the best mango dish. This year, the competition included:

"Tropical Flare" Mango Risotto with Sauteed Scallop (Chef Hiroyuki Mimura - Taormina) - this was my favorite dish!

Lawalu Mango Seed, Papio, Olena, Spicy Pickle Mango, Carrot, Kona Salt (Chef Mark Noguchi - Pili Group / Mission House) - this was my son's fave!

Deep Fried Green Mango, XO Sauce (Chef Andy Reagan - Morimoto Waikiki)

Mango, Quinoa, & Crab Cake, Mango Harrisa (Chef Ronnie Nasuti - Tiki's Grill & Bar)

"Mango, Mango, Mango" - Mango Kafir Panna Cotta, Mango Tapioca, Mango Sorbet, Shaved Mango (left; Chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka) + Mini Mango Margarita (top); Rumble-Bumble-Mango (right)

Mango Bread with Fresh Ricotta, Smoked Salt, Olive Oil (Chef Ed Kenney / Maggie King - Town)

Mango Semifredo, Mango Meringue, Mango Powder Pop Rocks (Chef Carolyn Portuondo - Royal Hawaiian Hotel)

Hayden Mango Filled Ricotta Malasada (Chef Lee Anne Wong - Koko Head Cafe)

I loved this year's dishes!  I would order them all in a restaurant!  My favorite, however, was the Risotto from Taormina, and my son loved the fish from Pili Group.  The Judges' and People's choice winner was the "Mango, Mango, Mango" by Chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka.

In addition to the Mango Throw Down, there was a Silent Auction, as well as Cooking Demonstrations, Farmer's Market, Best Mango Contest, a Cocktail Mixdown, and an Introduction to Mangoes.  

A few of the Silent Auction items

Cooking Demo

A few of the goods at the Farmer's Market

Mangoes at the Moana is a very family-friendly event.  My son really enjoyed trying out every single one of the dishes.  

Although the lines were at times very long, and it was very hot, the event is a great way to not only get your fill of mangoes and mango dishes, but it's awesome being able to see the chefs in action and getting to interact with them.

If you missed out on the Mangoes at the Moana event, you still have time to enjoy mango offerings at the Moana Surfrider. Through the end of the month, the veranda and the beachhouse at the moana will offer mango-inspired dishes, as well as mango curd and mango macarons during the Moana’s renowned Afternoon Tea. During the evening at the beachhouse at the moana, diners can order mango kaffir lime panna cotta or have a taste of mango salt during bread service. At the Surfrider Café near the pool, specials will be featured each day in July beginning at 11 a.m.

For dining reservations or information, please call the Starwood Waikiki dining desk at 808-921-4600.

Thank you to the sponsor for the complimentary Throw Down tickets.  

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Mangoes at the Moana

When it's summertime in Hawaii, people go crazy for Mangoes.

And for the past seven years in Waikiki, locals and visitors alike have been proving their fondness for mangoes at the Mangoes at the Moana event at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa.

This year's event took place this past Saturday, and I was so excited to have been invited by Starwood Hotels Hawaii (the Moana Surfrider is one of 11 properties under Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Hawaii) to attend the event and try out some of the dishes at the popular Mango Throwdown Competition.

It was my very first time at a Mangoes at the Moana event, and I was very impressed with how much there was to do there.

At the event there was a Silent Auction, a Mango Farmer's Market, Best Mango Contest, Mango Workshops, and Mango Cooking Demonstrations.

Silent Auction

Mango soap!

A few of the over 50 varities of Hawaiian mangoes!

Mango Carrot Bread

Makaha Mangoes apparel

Cooking demo

The highlight for many during the Mangoes at the Moana event was the Mango Throwdown.  Eight local celebrity chefs prepared dishes using mangoes, and guests could taste the creations by purchasing tickets at just $6 each per plate  (pre-sale purchasers could get 10 tickets for the price of 8; tickets could also be used toward cocktails).

Guests got to vote for their favorite dishes, and a panel of judges would award the Critics' Choice Award.

Mango Shrimp "Sorbeiche" by Chef James Aptakin of Mac 24/7

Mango Smoked Pork, Chili Mango Glaze, Pickled Maui Onions by Chef Darren Demaya of Kai Market

Mango Tango Salad by Chef Hiroyuki Mimura of Taormina

Chilled Kona Lobster, Green Mango & Jicama Salad, Mango Horseradish, Chicharrones by Chef Shaymus Alwin of Azure

Niihau Lamb & Mango Dumpling by Chef Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Cafe

Adobo-Braised Pork Belly, Pickled Island Green Mango Slaw & Sweet Kim Chee Mango Relish, Kabocha Puree, Charred Brussels Sprout by Chef Ron de Guzman of Stage

Fresh Mango Icee by Chef Heather Bryan of Top of Waikiki

Baked Mango Shoyu Chicken Manapua by Chef Heather Bryan of Top of Waikiki

Mango & Kula Onion Brulee, Foie Gras Pate, Mango Agrodolce by Chef Ronnie Nasuti from Tiki's Bar & Grill

The dishes were incredible!

My favorite dish, and the one I voted for, was the Lamb Dumpling by Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Cafe.  My other faves included the Manapua and Icee by Chef Heather Bryan of Top of Waikiki, and the Pork Belly by Chef Ron de Guzman of Stage.

The winners of the Throwdown were:

• Critics' Choice Award + 3rd Place People's Choice: Niihau Lamb & Mango Dumpling by Chef Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Cafe
• 2nd Place People's Choice:  Chilled Kona Lobster, Green Mango & Jicama Salad, Mango Horseradish, Chicharrones by Chef Shaymus Alwin of Azure
• 1st Place People's Choice:  Mango Shrimp "Sorbeiche" by Chef James Aptakin of Mac 24/7

In addition to the yummy eats, there were also yummy drinks available.  A Mango Cocktail Mixdown showcased a variety of mango-inspired drinks, and I chose a Virgin Mango Plantation. YUM!

Virgin Mango Plantation

Mangoes at the Moana was a great event for both visitors and kama`aina, and the Mango Throwdown was a wonderful way for guests to sample culinary creations from some of Hawaii's notable chefs.

I'm already looking forward to Mangoes at the Moana 2016!

Thank you to Starwood Hawaii for hosting my Throwdown Tickets.

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