World video travel guide

News • Hawaii • United States • 2011-01-04

NEW COOKING DEMOS PROVIDE RECIPE FOR TURNING VISITORS INTO CHEFS OF POLYNESIA:Daily Demonstrations Offer Modern Ways to Prepare Authentic Island Cuisine

The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) visitor experience, which already boasts Hawaii’s most authentic luau, is about to get even more appetizing.

Starting Jan. 15, the PCC will present cooking demonstrations twice a day, once in the island villages and then again in the early evening in the Pacific Marketplace. Cooking demonstrations will feature practical, modern techniques to create savory Polynesian cuisine at home, including tips and tricks for visitors’ own backyard luau.

“This is the Food Network, Polynesian style,” said Kealii Haverly, PCC’s director of in-center marketing. “With our new cooking demonstrations, guests can learn how to share the food they enjoyed at the PCC with their ohana (family) back home.”

“This is really what the PCC is all about. The Polynesian Cultural Center depicts seven island cultures and more than 15 million square miles of the vast South Pacific. Our island villages provide a glimpse into these diverse and fascinating cultures. Guests are able to visit the center and take what they learned and teach their friends and family about Polynesian culture,” said Raymond Magalei, PCC’s director of marketing.

Demo chefs will walk guests through an assortment of Polynesian fare, such as Laulau and taro and sweet potato chips, and demonstrate preparation and cooking techniques suitable for all skill levels. These thousand-year-old recipes have been adapted to work in almost any kitchen — no imu (underground oven) required.

The launch of the cooking demos coincides with PCC’s 21st Annual Moanikeala Hula Festival. At the festival, halau (schools) from Hawaii and Japan will captivate with their graceful arrangements at this first hula event of the year, being held on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in PCC’s Pacific Theater.

For more information or to make reservations, visit www.Polynesia.com or call the PCC ticket office at (800) 367-7060. On Oahu call (808) 293-3333.

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) has entertained more than 34 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to nearly 17,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.

RSS • All news