Kona Coffee Fest Names Company Label and Website Winners

The 13th annual Kona Coffee Label & Website Competition awarded companies that market Kona coffee with top-notch packaging—whether it’s on the bag or on the Internet.

Hosted by Kamehameha Investment Corporation (KIC), the contest fosters “truth in labeling” and is a highlight of the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Winners of both contests earned ribbons and cash.

Taking first place among 29 entries in the label division was Pu’u Nani Farms of Kailua-Kona

Followed by two second place winners: Makahiki Farms of Captain Cook

and Wakefield & Sons of Kealakekua.

Placing third was Kona Rising Coffee Company of Kealakekua

The People’s Choice Award went to Ohana Harbor Coffee Company of Holualoa. Piko 2 Piko of Kailua-Kona and Hualalai Harvest of Holualoa were tied for the Sponsors Award.

Copy and graphics with a strong identity to Kona coffee are the major criteria for judging labels. Educating the consumer as to what makes Kona Coffee so special is a plus while complying with state label laws. The website contest is similarly judged but requires sites be dedicated to the promotion of Kona coffee only, with a strong emphasis on Kona. The order process must be simple and have a secure system.

Nearly 25 coffee companies entered the website division and Kuaiwi Farm of Captain Cook took first place; Halama Farms of Holualoa earned second place; and Buddha’s Cup of Holualoa and Konaloha Coffee Company of Eureka, Calif. were tied for third place. Rancho Aloha of Holualoa was tapped with the Sponsors Award. The winning websites can be found at www.kuaiwifarm.com, www.halamafarms.com, www.buddhascup.com, www.konaloha.com and www.ranchoaloha.com.

“Kamehameha Investment Corporation continues to support our hard-working coffee farmers who best market their product—and the coveted Kona brand—with effective and attractive labels and websites,” says Valery O’Brien, KIC marketing director.

Competing coffee labels and websites were displayed at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay during the recent Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

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KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest Winners Announced

The 39th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrated their tastiest event, the KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest, at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Professionals, amateurs, and culinary students competed in two divisions, entrée and dessert. Keiki (12 years and younger) competed in the dessert division only. Winners received a trophy or ribbon, a KTA Gift Certificate or cash prizes.

The KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest is a signature event of the 39th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

2009 Kona Coffee Recipe Contest Winners

Professional Entrée First – Morgan Starr (Mi’s Italian Bistro) – Kona Coffee Encrusted Carpaccio of Big Island Beef Tenderloin

Second – Cliften Loetree Berry (Kohala Pacific Diner) – Kona Coffee Braised Big Island Red Veal Osso Bucco

Third – William Trask, AAC (Chef Consultant) – Kona Coffee Rubbed Slow Roasted Boneless Spareribs with Kona Coffee BBQ Sauce served with chili beans, mango papaya salsa and corn bread

Professional Dessert

First – Suzanne Bearth – Pot de Crème au Kona Coffee with Mocha Petit Fours

Second – Kristin Lowder (Makalii Catering) – Kona Coffee Chocolate Truffles

Third – Amy Turner (Sweet Legacies) – Kona Bombshell Truffles

Amateur Entrée Division

First – Kelli Siefke – Kona Coffee Pork Tenderloin

Second – Jane Dierenfield – Kona Coffee Lamb Shank Stew

Amateur Dessert Division

First – Harland Hays – Coffee Truffles

Second – Edgar Ombac – Filipino 100% Kona Coffee & Chocolate Leche Flan

Third – Patti Faisca – Coffee Pumpkin Cheese Cake

Culinary Student Entrée Division

First – Ashley Delos Santos (Konawaena High School) – Spinach Chicken Roll Up with Kona Coffee Butter Sauce & Kona Coffee Risotto

Second – Lora Jade Martin (Kealekehe High School) – Pork Skewers with Coffee Glaze and Rice Coffee Pilaf

Culinary Student Dessert Division

First – Krisielle Jane Molina (Konawaena High School) – Café Leche Flan

Second – Brandon Domingo (Hawaii Community College – W. Hawaii) – Kona Coffee Genoise with Raspberry Filling

Third – Ashley Delos Santos (Konawaena High School) – Café Mocha

Keiki Dessert Division

First – Mika Bettencourt – Kona Coffee Lava Flow

Second – Tehani Walker-Bray – Kona Mocha Cream Roll

Third – Emily McKinley – Kona Coffee Tiramisu with Lilikoi Coulee

Judges graded entries on a 40-point scale: Presentation and Impression (5 points), Plate Design (5 points), Composition/Harmony of Ingredients (10 points), Preparation and Craftsmanship (15 points) and Serving Methods and Portions (5 points).

During the judging the public enjoyed The Big Island Showcase of products and Kona coffee recipes. They tasted 100% Kona coffee from Fike Farms of Hawaii, Island Sun Coffee, and Kona Coffee & Tea Company, sampled treats from the Original Hawaiian Chocolate; Kona Brewing Company, Royal Kona Coffee; Big Island Bees – Hawaiian Apiaries, Kona Pure Deep Sea Salt, Kona Earthly Delights Farm, Kona Joe Coffee; and watched a live cooking demonstration presented by Chef Paul Heerlein, Chef Instructor, Hawaii Community College – West Hawaii.

To request winners recipes or digital images please contact Jeannette Vidgen at Current Events 808-326- 7820 or email: jvidgen@current-events.com