Contact: Current Events
(808)326-7820 FAX (808)326-5634
jvidgen@current-events.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

KTA SUPER STORES KONA COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST
WINNERS PAY TRIBUTE TO KONA COFFEE LEGACY

Kona, Hawaii's Big Island-KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest winners were recently announced during the 34th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. The contest honored this year's theme "Kona Coffee -Our Treasured Legacy" and encouraged a focus by young culinarians by creating separate categories for culinary students and high school students allowing them to compete amongst their peers.

Co-chairman Carolyn Deal explains, "We are proud of our large student turnout this year and congratulate them on their culinary accomplishments. We were impressed with their enthusiasm and professionalism. Several of their presentations were so well executed we thought we had professional chefs as contestants. In the spirit of mentoring, next year we hope to offer a week of career shadowing with one of our Big Island professional chefs to all student winners in addition to the generous KTA Super Store gift certificates and trophies."

This year's professional judges included Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa Executive Chef Ben Takahashi and Pastry Chef Lynette Aoki, Regency at Hualalai Executive Chef Ann Sutherland, Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort Executive Chef Steve Marquard, Steve Arakaki, Hualalai Grill by Alan Wong; and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Executive Chef Graham Quayle.

The KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest awarded prizes in four divisions-amateur, high school students ages 13-18, culinary students and keiki 12 years
and younger. The amateur, high school and culinary students competed in two categories-entrée, and dessert. The keiki competed in the dessert category. Winners received an engraved monkey pod plate and KTA Super Stores gift certificates. The grand prize winner won a weekend island getaway courtesy of Outrigger Resorts and Aloha Airlines.

2004 Kona Coffee Recipe Contest Winners:
GRAND PRIZE
Susan Wong - Kona Coffee Treasure Rolls

Entree Division
Culinary Student
First Place - Vince Mott-Hawaii Community College
Chicken Cutlets with Lemon Kona Coffee Sauce over Fettuccine with Kona Café Alfredo Sauce

High School Student
First Place - Maayan Plaut-Konawaena High School
Honey Roasted Squash filled with Kona Coffee and Coconut Risotto
Second Place - David Maile and Makenzie Nitta-Kealakehehe High School
Ma's Kona Coffee Chili and Delightfully Delicious Cornbread
Third Place - Lincoln Gomes-Konawaena High School
LG's Kona Coffee Chicken Mole

Amateur
First Place - Susan Wong
Kona Coffee Treasure Rolls
Second Place - Karen Sheff and Sylvia Hawkins
Spicy Roasted Coconut-Coffee Chicken Curry with Sweet Cherry (Coffee) and Tamarind Chutney
Third Place - Beverly Behasa
Kona Coffee Adobo Pork Roll

Dessert Division
Culinary Student
First Place - Christina Pettersen-Hawaii Community College
Hawaii Lava Flow
Second Place -Tiffany Chang-Hawaii Community College
Kona Coffee Jell-O Cake
Third Place - Momi Mendoza-Hawaii Community College
Aunty Momi's Cheesecake on a Kona Coffee Crust

High School Student
First Place - Ryan Nakashima-Konawaena High School
Kona Coffee Cappuccino Mousse with a Kahlua Whippped Cream in a Chocolate Coffee Cup
Second Place - Korie Nazara-Konawaena High School
Coffee Baskets with White Chocolate Kona Coffee Mousse and Ohelo Berry Preserves
Third Place - Jennifer Baysinger and Nick Colon-Brodie-Konawaena High School
White Russian Tiramisu

Amateur
First Place - Wanda Kekauhoa
Coffee Rum Chiffon Pie
Second Place -Bernadine Waddell
Kona Coffee Bourbon Balls
Third Place - Patti Faisca
Patti's Famous Chocolate Mocha Cheese Cake

Keiki Dessert Division
First Place - Mika Bettencourt
Kona Coffee Bars
Second Place -Pashia Rosario
Kona Coffee Chocolate Banana Pudding
Third Place - Tim Ekert
Kona Coffee Oatmeal Cookies

The KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest is a signature event of the 34th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

For additional information or digital images contact Jeannette Vidgen at Current Events (808) 326-7820 or visit the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival web site at www.konacoffeefest.com.