“Taste of Hawaiian Range” festival slated for this week on Big Island’s Kohala Coast

Mealani’s 17th Annual Taste of Hawaiian Range and Agricultural Festival, set for  6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 21 at the Big Island’s Hilton Waikoloa Village (Kohala Coast’s south end), spotlights Hawaii’s grass-fed beef industry’s local ranchers, farmers, and more than 30 of the state’s top chefs.

Festivalgoers wil be invited to “graze” on culinary creations featuring beef, pork, lamb, goat, mutton, and wild boar (all grass-fed) as well as locally grown fruits, veggies, and spices. While familiar cuts, such as sirloin tips and ribs, will be served, so will cuts for decidedly adventurous diners — just about everything from tongue to tail as well as “Rocky Mountain oysters.” Each culinary station at the fest will get 100 pounds of protein to create a dish of chocie.

The festival will also serve up opportunity to “talk story” with the ranchers and farmers. Plus, a cooking demonstration titled “Grass-Fed Beef Cooking 101,” is set for 3 p.m. The demo will feature James Babian, executive chef at Four Seasons Resort Hualala,  detailing how to properly use and prepare pasture-raised beef.

Also among the chefs lineup: Philip “Ippy” Aiona of Solimene’s Restaurant in Waimea and a recent competitor on cable television’s Food Network Star show.

Tickets for the evening event begin at $40 presale, $60 at the door, and $10 for the afternoon cooking demo. For more information about the event, click here.