Taste Of 12th Avenue
Chef Kevin Hanney of 12th Avenue Grill, who earns raves from other chefs and loyal customers alike, makes his debut at the Taste of Honolulu’s Chefs du Jour this weekend
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Chef Kevin checks inventory with Kalani Stubner
“But I was always looking for a neighborhood, bistro-type restaurant,” Hanney recalls. “I’m on a mission to bring people good food that doesn’t cost a fortune.”
The restaurateur says he’s always had an interest in food, even as a child.
“Food is so dynamic,” he says, “It’s changing all the time.”
Hanney obviously has a handle on what pleases people’s palates. His restaurant opened without a bit of advertising, and it has sustained business on the patronage of regulars, positive dining reviews, and word of mouth.
Of course, promotional events like Taste of Honolulu don’t hurt either.
“It’s fun to get out and meet people,” he says. “There’s no better way to market than to have people taste my food. I’d rather have a hundred people taste my food than to have a thousand people see a commercial.”
But he’s realizing the power of the media, as print and broadcast ads are currently running for Taste of Honolulu. Hanney is in a “chefs gone wild” TV spot along with chef Hiroshi Fukui and vintner Chuck Furuya. It is hilarious.
But it’s all done in fun, which is the spirit in which Taste of Honolulu was developed 15 years ago. In a word, it’s a party.
Taste of Honolulu happens Friday, June 23, to Sunday, June 25, at Honolulu Civic Center. A $4 admission allows you to hobnob with 52,000 of your friends and neighbors in a convivial, outdoor setting with fine cuisine and great entertainment.
Genial hosts are the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and Easter Seals, which benefits from the charitable proceeds. Chef du Jour is presented by HFM Food Service.
To date, Taste of Honolulu has raised $2.4 million for family and children’s programs, according John Howell, CEO of Easter Seals Hawaii. A presale of food scrip for this year’s event yielded $77,000, exceeding last year’s drive by 10 percent.
“It’s a wonderful event with something for everyone,” he says. “You can bring the whole family to enjoy all the varieties of food, the entertainment, and the family center. It is even more special when you see how the funds raised at the Taste make such a big difference in the lives of so many Hawaii families.”
Free parking is available in the adjacent underground city lot accessible from Beretania and Alapai streets. Or, if you’re pedaling to the affair, this year there are bike valets.
Grammy-nominee Raiatea Helm headlines the entertainment roster. Also adding to the festive spirit are The Krush, Kapena, Touch of Gold, and Maunalua, among others.
But the main attraction is food from 25 restaurants, ranging from upscale establishments like Ciao Mein and Golden Dragon, to modest mom-and-pop places like Highway Inn and Da Spot. Additionally, the wine aficionado can take an international “wine tour” of six or 10 sampling stations.
Hanney says, “People are hungry for new experiences. It’s a fun and exciting time to be involved in the food scene in Hawaii.”
As I turn to leave, our eyes meet for the last time, and with my heart racing, I utter those three little words. “Got any scrip?”
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