Kupu Maui Pop-Up Brunch

April 19, 2012 Dania Katz, Chef and farmer James Simpliciano and Chef Jenna Haugaard made their dream come true…

They created the first Kupu Maui Pop Up brunch event at Ali`i Kula Lavender FarmInspired by other Pop Up restaurants in Honolulu like “The Pig and The Lady”, Dania was determined to pull it off on Maui. With her Twitter and facebook following as well as relationships within the community that she has built for years, Dania knew this would be a great success. It is so pertinent to the current food and farm movement nationally. We smile when we think of Farm-To-table and are so happy to get together with friends over beautiful tables of freshly prepared food grown on Maui. Dania said “We love to feed people” and they fed us in style.

The first course above were platters of beautifully cut local Maui papayas, strawberries, mulberries, Maui Gold pineapple and fresh limes of course, to squeeze over our papaya. Trays of miniature muffins were served as Chai smoked pork made it’s way to our tables. The turn out was overwhelming. Approximately forty guests arrived all by responding to the Tweet-Vite that Dania had posted. I heard there was a waiting list. It was so great to see familiar faces of friends we know in real life already and have shared so many memories together.

Here’s Chef James preparing gorgeous tomatoes for the salad and Chef Jenna in the background with the fruit platters.

It was all about the Food. There was an air of excitement and fun and happiness for the first Kupu Maui Brunch. We all love the Lavender Farm. Even Pomai Weigert and Koa Chang were there to share the experience. Joel Katz played jazzy music on his Gibson electric guitar to set the mood.

@PrincessPomai of Ali`i Kula Lavender

Anyone want pork? Yes!!! Chai Smoked Pork was so moist and delicious. I love how it was served in cast iron platters with handles at each table. We picked to our hearts content while juices of tangerine, strawberry and orange spritzers were poured for each of us. The whole show was orchestrated so smoothly with other family members and friends helping out.

I didn’t get photos of each dish, but next we dined on beautiful local Maui purple sweet potatoes, ulu and beets roasted and topped with a creamy wonderful sauce.

I heard Gunars and JoRene Valkirs mention these came from their Kapalua farm. I was sitting next to them at my table.

We loved the quinoa dish that followed and we wondered upon the first bite, “What is that flavor?” There were so many textures and layers. I need to ask Jenna about the dressing in that tabouli-like dish. It had sweetness, nuttiness, fluffy quinoa, kale chiffonade, cranberries and delicious pumpkin. Everything was perfect. Not too filling and very satisfying.

Friends were taking pictures like crazy as we always do at TweetUps. Sorry my camera was one F-stop off and I was too busy talking and eating to take the best pics this day. It was a fantastic morning all about the food and friendship.

Liza Pierce of @MauiBlog and Sara Tekula

Kim Hauiesen and friends

Joyce Chin and Erik Blair

Jill Mayo of Living Maui Social

And then dessert!!! Did someone say strawberry PIE?

This delicious strawberry pie smothered in lime truffle was mouth watering delightful. I almost left early without having a bite but couldn’t resist such huge strawberries in a flaky crust topped with this lovely lime truffle.

Everything was fabulous!

Congratulations, Dania, Jenna and James for a fantastic Farm-to-Table event and the first Pop-Up Brunch on Maui.

We look forward to sharing every month with you and the world. Everyone follow @KupuMaui on Twitter for updates.

Aloha,

Marilyn

Call me if you’d like a private farm tour designed just for you. 808 283-9131

Tagged as: AKL Maui, Dania KAtz, farm tours, Kupu Maui, Pop Up restaurants