WAIKOLOA — Cissy Zhang thinks her recipe has a good chance of winning this year.
Born and raised in China, she has placed each year in the Annual Great Waikoloa Poke Contest since submitting her first entry in 2011. Now in her 60s, she continues to fly in from Alhambra, California just to compete.
”I do it because I like healthy food,” she said. “I like traditional poke, but this year my new way is to use fruit and spice in my entry. I love art and herbs, so making poke is my passion. I change my recipe each year.”
Zhang is among more than a dozen professional chefs and 30 home cooks who will be competing at the 9th annual event.
As part of the month-long Hawaii Island Festival celebration, the Contest will be open to the public on Sept. 10 in the Naupaka Ballroom at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.
Doors will open at 11 a.m., where dishes will be displayed in three categories: traditional, poke with soy sauce and limu (seaweed) and cooked poke. Entries will be judged on taste but there will be a separate award for presentation. Winners can earn cash prizes and gift baskets.
After judges announce the winners, the audience will be able to taste the entries as well.
New contestants this year will be coming from Hilo and The Fish Hopper Seafood and Steaks in Kona. Returning contestants include chefs from Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Plantation Grill in Kawaihae, among others.
Judges will include professional chefs and local kupuna fisherman, born and raised on the island.
“I think it will be a wonderful competition,” said Linda Pokipala, the event’s committee chairman. “It expands each year and more and more people attend. I wish I could give a prize to all of the contestants and encourage anyone to enter.”
A traditional Hawaiian food that has stood the test of time and continues to trend in popular cuisine, poke is a side dish made of bite-size pieces of fish, combined with a limitless range of creative additional ingredients.
The deadline to enter a recipe in the competition has been extended until Sept. 7, with a $20 entry fee. The first 40 contestants will receive 6 pounds of fish free. Tickets are $10 at the door, plus a $5 festival ribbon.
Info: www.hawaiiislandfestival.org or call Linda Pokipala at 937-4896