Setting: Dining on the beach, by torchlight, Duke’s Waikiki Restaurant at the Outrigger Hotel, Honolulu.

 B Duke's in the rain (6A)

Timing: The sun is setting at the end of a perfect day in Hawaii. The Wines: Parings presented by Robert Larsen, Rodney Strong Vineyards, California.

D Rain before (9)

Characters: International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association conference attendees. Past President Maralyn Hill. President Michelle Winner.

C Duke's in the rain (5)

Lamont, The Cooking Ladies. Kim Chapman Public Relations Manager for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama. Jo Duncan, Director of Media Relations, Jefferson City, Missouri. Phyllis, The Cooking Ladies.

F Rain before (4)

Gigi Ragland, Womens Adventure Magazine. Andrew Harris, SoCal Restaurant Show.

E Rain before (2)

 Graeme Kemlo, Chair IFWTWA Australasia. Sherrie Wilkolaski, Authors Boutique. Melinda Hammond, Tropical Golfer. Mandy Rowe, Broads Abroad Travel Network.

P

The food: Mescluin greens with blood oranges, sweet peppers & crisp fried won ton; Panko crusted mahi mahi over braised kale and sweet peppers; Beef sirloin with Maui onion and mushroom demi glaze served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes.

I Duke's in the rain (4)

The Action: Sudden rain. Out come the towels.

J Duke's in the rain (6)

K Duke's in the rain (3)

KK Rain during (9)

The networking continues without interruption.

 M Duke's in the rain (2)

Robert Larsen, ignoring wet shirt and shorts, introduces our second wine, a 2011 Davis Bynum Chardonnay Riverwest followed by a choice of Pinot Noir or Cabernet. Rodney Strong Winery is known for its reds.

 L Duke's in the rain (7)

O Duke's in the rain (9)

N Duke's in the rain (10)

R Duke's in the rain (11)

Writers. Food. Wine. The creativity never ceases. Nor does the fun.