The 2nd annual Battle of the Food Trucks is just around the corner and will be on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 2 to 6 p.m. on Kress Street in Downtown Lihu‘e.
Of the over 50 food trucks on island, those that will be participating in the event include Taco Libre, Kanak Attack, Pineapple Express Kauai, Shivalik Indian Cuisine, Hanalei Taro Co., Dim ‘N’ Den Sum, Shakalafel, Uncle Stoney’s and Ha Coffee.
Battle of the Food Trucks Coordinator Lexi Jones said this is a great opportunity to support local.
“We all know that food is at the center of our community, this is a chance to bring everyone together, to support our local farmers, our local food trucks, and our local producers, and support a sustainable agriculture and more,” Jones said.
Coordinators and supporters of the event include Jones and Dr. Addison Bulosan.
Battle of the Food Trucks is presented by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau. Sponsors for the event are Mark Gabbay, HPM Building Supply, Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau, Allstate Insurance Agent: Koa Yukimura, Gather FCU, Holo Holo Charters, Kaua‘i FCU, Blue Dolphin Charters, Kong Radio, and Kekaha Agriculture Association.
This event provides an exciting opportunity for food truck businesses to compete for the title of Kaua‘i’s Best Food Truck.
Students from the Kaua‘i Community College Culinary Arts Program will be assisting participating chefs, and get hands-on experience in the kitchen as sous chefs.
“It is pretty amazing to bring it back to the students, they are learning how to pivot based on the season, the time of the year, due to unseen variables in agriculture,” Jones said. “There are so many variables at play as they are assisting these chefs.”
Chefs on the panel of judges are Steven Nakata, Chef Marty Amaro and Duane Miyasato and are from the KCC Culinary Arts Program.
Judges will make their decision based on a number of factors such as appearance, taste, using Kaua‘i-grown ingredients creatively, and how dishes appear on the plate.
Each chef will be using two Kaua‘i Made Kauai Grown ingredients to demonstrate their culinary abilities. All guests will be able to vote on their favorite food truck.
There will be live music and entertainment and vendors as well. Comedian Augie T will be emcee at the event. Kawaiola Productions will be featuring Sky Flores and Bronson Aiwohi and will be playing original, reggae, island, and pop music. Kaua‘i Kollab will be performing reggae, covers, music from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, and includes musicians Papa‘a Bay Boys, Ka Ha and Pico De Gallo.
Among the vendors who will take part in the event are ‘Alakoko Shop and Kamawaelualani, a nonprofit that is dedicated to cultural perpetuation through public arts and place-based learning.
Kekaha Agriculture will also be giving away watermelons to event-goers.
Those with VIP tickets are able to go to the event starting at 1 p.m., and get preferred parking. Tickets can be purchased online at bestkauaifoodtrucks.com. Tickets cost $75 for general admission and $100 for VIP.
Kress Street will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 2 to 9 p.m. for the Downtown Lihu‘e Night Market, as well as on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the Battle of the Food Trucks.
•••
Monique Kemper is a lifelong North Shore resident who lives in Princeville and writes periodically for The Garden Island.
