Setting: Dining on the beach, by torchlight, Duke’s Waikiki Restaurant at the Outrigger Hotel, Honolulu.
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.
Characters: International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association conference attendees. Past President Maralyn Hill. President Michelle Winner.
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.
Gigi Ragland, Womens Adventure Magazine. Andrew Harris, SoCal Restaurant Show.
Graeme Kemlo, Chair IFWTWA Australasia. Sherrie Wilkolaski, Authors Boutique. Melinda Hammond, Tropical Golfer. Mandy Rowe, Broads Abroad Travel Network.
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.
The Action: Sudden rain. Out come the towels.
The networking continues without interruption.
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.
Writers. Food. Wine. The creativity never ceases. Nor does the fun.
