On April 7th, Chef James McDonald turned out a delightful celebration of Spanish foods and wines, sponsored by Maui No Ka Oi Magazine to benefit Maui Culinary Academy programs, of which the Chef is a proud graduate.  With plucks of Flamenco guitar setting the mood, guests enjoyed mussels, paella, calamari, Serrano ham, olives and cheeses, presented casually at various food stations in the open-air main dining venue. The tapas feast was capped off with decadent hand crafted chocolate truffles (which translate well in any language) along with miniature lilikoi custard tarts.

It was quite a treat to indulge in flavors reminiscent of a long-ago summer spent on the Spanish coast. Regardless of the long lapse of time since I’d enjoyed such foods in the country of origin, Chef McDonald’s tapas and luscious sangria triggered a cavalcade of memories from that sun-baked summer, being among the most authentic Spanish preparations I’ve experienced locally.

For information on future `Aipono Award Wines of the World events, visit Maui No Ka Oi.