POIPU — This weekend, the Garden Isle became the poke capital of the world as the sold-out 2025 Poke Fest lured visitors from around the world to savor the best in seafood artistry.
More than 1,100 pounds of fresh ahi poke were featured at the fifth annual Kauai Poke Fest, hosted at the Koloa Landing Resort in Poipu on Saturday. This year, the two-day festival honored culinary enthusiasts from around the world by expanding for the first time by introducing an intimate Poke Masters’ Table on Friday the 13th.
The five-course dining experience was led by a lineup of culinary Chefs, including Chef Sam Choy, Chef Don Gusman, Chef Sheldon Simeon, Chef Ronnie Rainwater, and dessert duo Chefs Wendy Leanio and Ryan Alicante.
From Chef Choy’s ahi tartar salad to Chef Rainwater’s luxurious Creekstone Farms Chateaubriand. Each chef contributed their distinct culinary artistry to the dishes, engaging all the senses while honoring the richness and diversity of Hawaii’s culinary heritage.
The winners of the 2024 Poke Fest, the “Gusman Go Getter” team, led by Executive Chef Don Gusman, shared his internationally inspired ingredients that influenced this year’s dish, Wok Fried Kauai Shrimp with Thai Mamaku Alii mushrooms, curry local mango, and pineapple chutney that was presented during night one of the Poke Masters’ Table.
“I wanted to use a local ingredient that was part of the island to represent the island, explained Chef Gusman, “And I thought about Kauai shrimp.
“Kauai shrimp is so delicate and so sweet that you have to be so careful on how you cook it. We did a really good job, I think. Also, what I did is I incorporated some of last year’s winning poke dish, and I added some of the kanji right at the bottom, and then I did a nice curry sauce. I put the shells of the shrimp and made a stock with that, and then I finished my curry with that, and I got a really good umami deep flavor, and it all tied together.
“To cut the heat, he added, “ I did a pineapple mango chutney that I actually learned from a lovely Indian lady who taught me how to make chutney, so I wanted to incorporate that because she took the time to teach me.
“I’m happy to recognize everyone who had a hand in this event, and we hope everyone enjoys themselves, YEEHAWW!” he yelled.
On day two, Koloa Landing Resort General Manager Aaron Bambling expressed his enthusiasm for the sold-out event and was delighted to provide attendees with an authentic culinary experience. “This event is amazing; it gets better every year, it continues to grow, and we have some amazing chefs,” he said. “We have some new great contestants every year. Last night was our first-ever Chef Table dinner, which was hugely successful, and we will continue to make that grow.
“All the dishes were amazing, the salad was amazing, the shrimp was amazing, the kanpachi was amazing, the dessert was amazing, and I just can’t pick one. We are excited to support everyone and give back to the island. We are one big ohana, and it’s important to support one another.
“I am the luckiest guy in the world. We have an amazing staff; they are our lifeline. We are all diverse, and they all work so hard; I can’t thank everyone enough,” he said.
Attendees came from near and far, with one visitor from Australia calling the event “worth the trip,” he shared how glad he was to be back on Kauai. A couple from New York said they were captivated by ingredients they’d never heard of and grateful to have scored last-minute tickets. The excitement built steadily toward the fest highlight— the announcement of this year’s winning poke dish.
Winner of the 2025 Poke Fest was Mark Oyama of Kauai Shrimp, who earned the prestigious trophy and the distinction of being recognized for Hawaii’s most favored culinary creation with their signature dish, ‘Torched Kauai Shrimp.’
Second place was awarded to Meghann Matsuda of Da Reel Kapakahi Red Eye for their dish titled “Reel ‘Em &Feel ‘Em.” Kristy Kahananui earned third place from Lawai’a Fish Co. for their creation, “Da Krazy Asian Poke.”
“I can’t even express the joy I feel to see everyone here today,” said ‘The Godfather of Poke’ Chef Sam Choy. “Congratulations to Kauai Shrimp, Chef Oyama, and his team because they all deserve it,” he said
A formal proclamation issued by Kauai Mayor Derek S.K. Kaumakani and Maui Mayor Bissen distinguished the event. All proceeds generated from this event will benefit local nonprofit organizations through the Charity Walk organized by the Hawaii Lodging &Tourism Association. For more information about the Poke Fest, visit KauaiPokeFest.com.
Source: The Garden Island