A little known fact -- the Parker Ranch on the Big Island is the largest cattle ranch in the country in terms of total acreage. No surprise, then, that the Big Island is ground zero for high-end beef, lamb and other carnivore treats. Each year, the ranchers, and top-notch chefs (Alan Wong, George Mavrothalassitis, Bev Gannon, among others) from Maui, the Big Island and Honolulu congregate to put on a feast and celebrate this bounty. Fruits and veggies for the fest come from the growing ranks of Hawaii's boutique farms. For my money, Big Island tomatoes are as good as any in the country, if not the world. In short, foodies will freak and thus the dilemma; Alan Wong's oxtail, Chef Mavro's whole mutton or whole yearling from Chef “Willie” Pirngruber of the Hilton Waikoloa, a guy who's quite respected in local circles but hasn't received much natinoal attention. In truth, you can try them all plus Big Island Ice Cream. I'll be heading over to pig out gloriously. The Hilton Waikoloa hotel has some special deals on roomrates. The hotel is great for kids -- big swimming pools, boat rides connecting different parts of the resort. No good beach is the only downside. Buy tickets before you get there and save $15 per person. This event, which is put on by the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture does sell out so might want to move fast. For more grazing, the next day is the "Mealani Forage Field Day" in upcountry Waimea. This basically like a mini-ag fair with green overtones and, no surprise, great food. The event backs into Columbus Day long-weekend (October 6) so mo' bettah' for three day holoholo.

Taste of the Range, Hilton Waikoloa, Nice Article on Event

—Alex, 08/29/06