Godfather of Poke, Chef Sam Choy 
2-Star Michelin Chef, Emeril Lagasse
Top Chef Finalist, Sheldon Simeon 
Chef Ronnie Rainwater
The 6th Annual Kaua‘i Poke Fest®, voted #9 Best Specialty Food Festival in the United States, returns to Kōloa Landing Resort on June 19 & 20 with celebrity chefs Sam Choy, Emeril Lagasse, Sheldon Simeon, and Ronnie Rainwater. The festival begins Friday, June 19 with a multi-course Masters’ Table dinner, followed by Saturday’s main event featuring live music and entertainment, a hosted bar, a poke demonstration, and 25 competing teams preparing more than 1,000 pounds of fresh, Hawaiian line-caught ahi from Kaua‘i Fresh Fish in pursuit of Hawai‘i’s best poke.
Kauai Poke Fest® is a not-for-profit event with all proceeds going to fight Alzheimer’s through the Alzheimer’s Association.
Poke Masters’ Table Dinner | Friday June 19, 6:00 PM
Kaua‘i Poke Fest® begins with an intimate, multi-course dinner prepared by our celebrity chefs and 2025 Poke Fest® winner Mark Oyama. Set in the Grand Ballroom, the evening will feature chef-presented courses, with each chef introducing the dish they created for this special dinner.
Tray-Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
Kumamoto oyster shots with Hawaiian chili pepper
First Course by Sam Choy
Three styles of locally inspired inari featuring fresh Kaua‘i ingredients: island fish poke, pipikaula beef poke, and tofu poke with Kaua‘i shrimp
Second Course by Mark Oyama (2025 Poke Fest® Winner)
Kaua‘i shrimp menchi katsu with mapo tofu sauce
Third Course by Ronnie Rainwater & Emeril Lagasse
Red wine-braised Creekstone Farms boneless short ribs, potato pavé, English pea tapenade, red wine reduction, crispy garlic, and petite pea tendrils
Fourth Course by Sheldon Simeon
Kanpachi with sea asparagus and limu beurre blanc
Fifth Course by Wendy Leanio
Deconstructed Kulolo Crunch – layers of sweetened poi, coconut milk, and taro with a macadamia nut cake crumble
Seating is extremely limited. All tickets include hosted bar.
Poke Fest® | Saturday June 20
Saturday’s signature event is a celebration of poke, local ingredients, and Hawai‘i’s culinary community. Guests will enter the tasting hall to sample creations from 25 competing teams, all preparing fresh, Hawaiian line-caught ahi from Kaua‘i Fresh Fish as they compete for the title of Hawai‘i’s best poke. The festival also includes live entertainment, a hosted bar, a poke demonstration, and appearances by celebrity chefs Sam Choy, Emeril Lagasse, Sheldon Simeon, and Ronnie Rainwater.
VIP tickets include early access at 3:00 PM for first tastes of the competition dishes. General Admission begins at 4:00 PM and includes full access to the tasting hall and all poke creations. All tickets include hosted bar, live entertainment, and festival activities.
