Some rum fun

The culinary expertise of Sheraton Kauai Resort Chef Roger Liang will be on parade for a good cause Saturday. The resort will be holding its second RumFest at RumFire Poipu Beach to benefit the Kauai Humane Society and celebrate National Rum Day. The event will feature Hawaii-made rums, island music and heavy pupus from the resort’s signature restaurant, RumFire Poipu Beach. 

Featured libations will include Kauai’s own Koloa Rum and Old Lahaina, Maui Rum and Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum. Over 15 varieties will be available.

“When we sat around and started to brainstorm about food items that would pair perfectly with rum, the first thing that came into mind was jerk spiced chicken,” said Liang. “With its Jamaican roots, we made it our own by sourcing out local organic chicken, and using local fresh herbs for the salsa verde, and of course by pairing it with fine local rums.”

He added that the explosion of flavors in the dish come from spices such as Hawaiian Red Salt, Cloves, garlic, Hawaiian Chili pepper, brown sugar, paprika and cayenne pepper.

Organizers are expecting 200 attendees who will also be offered spicy lemongrass chicken with green papaya salad, grilled pork belly with rum-spiked poha berry jam, seared ahi tataki with lilikoi shrimp salsa and blackened mahi mahi with roasted corn and heirloom tomato relish. 

Desserts provided will include Koloa Rum pineapple upside down cake, flourless chocolate cake bites with rum-spiked cherries and li hing mui pineapple fruit cups. 

Live local entertainment will be provided throughout the event by musical performers Santiago Soto and the Steps. A silent auction to benefit the Kauai Humane Society will also be held during the festivities. A little over $7,000 was raised last year. 

Ticket prices for the RumFire at RumFest are $50 and include a chance to win a variety of door prizes. The event, to be held at the resort’s open-air Ocean Courtyard, begins at 6 p.m.

Info or to make a reservation, call 742-4786 or visit www.sheraton-kauai.com.