MEDIA RELEASE

Show your support for local keiki nutrition awareness while pampering your special someone at Q’uisine of Hearts on Sunday, Feb. 13. The annual Valentine brunch raises funds for several nutrition-themed educational programs in schools and community-wide events.

“We’re giving our children a gift that lasts a lifetime—healthy food choices,” emphasizes event founder Jean Hull, CCE, ACC of Kailua-Kona.

Q’uisine of Hearts offers a bruschetta buffet plus omelet and eggs benedict stations. Also tempting attendees will be bite-sized pastry specialties by local pastry chefs, bakers, chocolatiers and ice cream makers. On tap will be 100 percent Kona coffee, handcrafted ales, champagne and wine.

Serenading the scrumptious “eats” will be romantic piano music, including some of your favorite love songs. During the silent auction, bid for “sweetheart” floral arrangements and private catered dinners by top Big Isle chefs.

Time is 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Hilton Waikoloa Village, where the event has been hosted for 16 years. The Hilton is also donating a two-night stay for two and a $100 KPC dining certificate to the event. Attendees can bid on the package at Q’usine’s auction.

Debi Bishop, general manager for Hilton Waikoloa Village, commented, “We are so pleased to be a part of Q’uisine of Hearts, which has become a very notable tradition for the resort. We also are honored to support this very worthwhile cause for our keiki, and commend ACF for making this such a successful and enjoyable event for all those involved.”

ACF’s local keiki nutrition awareness program targets second graders in public and private school classrooms who are presented the concept of “akamai” food choices and “steps for a healthier you.” In the Cooking for Kids sessions, sanitation is addressed and keiki assemble easy recipes before receiving a handout on appropriate food choices.

“We lead the second graders in two nutrition-themed activities,” said Hull, who leads the program guided by ACF’s national Chef and Child Foundation (CCF). “The students create Fabulous Fruit Kabobs dipped in yogurt and a Smart Sandwich using a protein, whole grain bread and veggies.”

Hull says Cooking for Kids visits about 50 classes annually, reaching about 1,400 elementary students. To date, it has instructed more than 22,000 West Hawaii keiki.

In addition, the CCF initiative also promotes keiki nutrition awareness through annual events. In January, the initiative models how to prepare a healthy breakfast for culinary students from five high schools during competition training at Konawaena High School.

In the spring, the outreach heads to Waimea for the annual Healthy Keiki Fest. Every fall, Hull and her team lead a nutritional activity and workshops for 300 fifth-graders through Girls Exploring Math & Science (GEMS) in Kona.

New this year, Q’uisine also supports Green Tables, a farm and garden philanthropic initiative for children by Les Dames d’Escoffier Hawaii in Waimea. Through Green Tables, CCF supports students who are planting a school garden.

At all events, local keiki get a handout on good nutrition guidelines customized for their age group, adds Hull.

Implementing West Hawaii keiki nutrition programs into the school curriculum is a labor of love for Hull. Her program, which garnered ACF national “Little Oscar Awards” in 2002, 2006, and 2008, is detailed on the web site of the ACF’s Chef and the Child Foundation: www.acfchefs.org

Q’uisine of Hearts tickets are for sale and priced at $45 for adults and $20 for children aged 5-10. Purchase them by credit card at 808-329-2522 or at Chef’s Kitchen Supply and Kona Wine Market in Kona or at Tropical Dreams Ice Cream in Waimea.

For further information, contact Jean Hull at 326-2350.