• HOLIDAY FARE AND FESTIVITY AT CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHEFS FUNDRAISER

    October 05, 2026
    KEAUHOU-KONA, HAWAI’I ISLAND—Sugarplums will dance in your head while supporting the future of our local culinary industry at the 34th Christmas with the Chefs. Time is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 inside and out of the ballroom at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. 
     
    Temptations include savory and sweet tasting stations by the isle’s top chefs, confectioners and beverage purveyors. Imbibe in unlimited worldly wines, local brews, handcrafted cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Dance to traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music, plus country and R&B pop by the mult-generational Kaai & Company. 
     
    Fun includes a photo booth and a tear-off recipe giveaway, featuring two dozen recipes by local chefs using local foods. 
     
    Early committed culinary participants include Huggoʻs/Luana Hospitality Group, Fairmont Orchid-Hawai‘i, F.O.R.C Restaurant, Magics Beach Grill, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Jackie Rey’s, Kona Inn Restaurant, HCC-Palamanui, Pinao Productions, Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, Westside Wines, Wailuku Brew Works and Big Island Booch.
     
    Presented by the American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association and Sysco, proceeds support student chef scholarships and educational activities. Originating as Christmas at Hulihe‘e, the fundraiser has moved to various Hawai‘i Island locations over the years while raising over $900,000.  
     
    All tickets are sold online, include parking and incur tax and booking fees. Early bird indiviual tickets are $130 thru November 4 and priced $150 afterwards. A limited number of VIP tables of 10 are $1,850—which includes air-conditioned, reserved seating indoors, table service, wine selections and VIP parking. Purchase tickets at www.christmaswiththechefs.com. The hotel is also offering a limited special room rate by using the coupon code CHEFXMAS26 upon booking.
     
    American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association: ACF is the largest, professional, non-profit organization for chefs and cooks in the nation. Founded in 1980, the Kona Kohala chapter is comprised of food service professionals, vendors, growers and culinary enthusiasts. While the ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association is committed to culinary enrichment, its vision is to build a sustainable culinary workforce by hosting events to provide support for high school culinary programs, educational opportunities, scholarships for students and members, and opportunities for culinary competition and ACF certification. The ACF Kona Kohala Chefs Association Charitable & Education Fund is a 501c3 non-profit organization. www.konakohalachefs.org.