How does judging work at the Kauai Poke Fest??
At Kaua‘i Poke Fest, we take judging seriously.
This is not just a tasting event. It is a true culinary competition that celebrates the craft, creativity, and tradition of poke. Every team is evaluated through a thoughtful and transparent process designed to ensure fairness, integrity, and credibility.
Panel of Respected Chefs
At the center of the festival is our judging panel, made up of some of Hawai‘i’s most respected culinary voices:
- Chef Sam Choy Widely recognized as the “Godfather of Poke,” Chef Choy has spent decades shaping Hawai‘i’s culinary identity and bringing poke to a global audience.
- Chef Sheldon Simeon James Beard Award finalist and one of Hawai‘i’s most celebrated chefs, known for his deep respect for local ingredients and culture.
- Chef Ronnie Rainwater A highly regarded chef with a refined palate and deep industry experience, bringing balance and perspective to the panel.
Each judge brings years of experience, a deep understanding of Hawaiian cuisine, and a commitment to fairness and excellence.
How the Competition Works
Each competing team prepares and presents their poke dish during the festival.At a scheduled time, teams present their dish directly to the judges. This includes:
- Sharing the inspiration behind the dish
- Explaining ingredients, sourcing, and preparation
- Highlighting any unique techniques or cultural influences
The judges then taste and score each dish independently.
Each dish is then evaluated using a standardized scoring system across three categories:
- Taste (up to 10 points)
- Presentation (up to 10 points)
- Originality (up to 10 points)
Each judge can award up to 30 points per dish. This ensures that every team is judged consistently and fairly.
Kaua‘i Poke Fest is also a celebration of the community.
Guests are invited to participate by voting for their favorite dish using QR codes located throughout the tasting hall.
This allows attendees to have a voice and recognize the dishes they enjoyed most.
At the end of the festival:
- Scores from all judges are combined
- Audience votes are factored in
- Final totals determine 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place winners
This hybrid approach ensures that winners are selected through both expert evaluation and guest experience.
We understand that transparency matters.
- Judges evaluate dishes independently
- All teams follow the same rules and structure
- Scoring is standardized across all competitors
- Our judging panel is composed of highly respected, unbiased professionals
Our goal is simple: to honor the best poke on the day of the festival.