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
A seasonal creation by Chef Sheldon Simeon highlighting exceptional local ingredients
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.
