Poke Festival

I returned home from vacation in time for Hukilau's 4th Annual Poke Festival. As Eric Tao, one of the owners would brag, it's the only celebration of it's kind on the mainland with a poke recipe contest, a spam musubi eating contest, live entertainment and food. Situated on the corner of Masonic and Geary in SF, Hukilau attracts lots of neighborhoodies as well as island locals alike. For the event, the street is closed in a block party style with an outdoor stage, malasadas, beer booth, our poke judging booths, tiki tiki hawaiian products and plenty of seating for all.



I worked the outdoor beer booth and served from noon into the evening. I was able to see the poke judging and awards and best of all... the spam eating contest.



This is Wendy's poke recipe entry. Next year she plans to knock em dead with her secret display tactic ;-)



Here the spam eating contestants are seating on the stage and given 3 minutes to eat as many musubis as possible. The now 4-time winner, Jeff "the hammer" Cortez won by eating an amazing 7 musubis.



Some of da wahines: Me, Mia Rutiz who also works at Hukilau and my roommate, Julia Dondero.



Some of da kanes: Jon Meneses, a Hukilau bartender, Eric Tao, one of the owners, and Peter Muraoka, one of our loyal regulars from Maui!



Partying into the night: Kevin my girl, Lysha...Ray.