Sam Choy's in the Kitchen: 2024 Kauaʻi Poke Fest Winner Don Gusman
On this special episode of Sam Choy's in the Kitchen, we're putting the spotlight on poke, and a guest who knows it best. Chef Don Gusman, the 2024 Kauaʻi Poke Fest winner, joins Sam and John in the kitchen to showcase his award-winning creation.
Chef Don kicks things off with his winning dish: ahi poke congee. This comforting blend of silky rice porridge and fresh poke is a fusion of island and Asian comfort food. The congee base is warm, rich, and lightly seasoned, while the fresh ahi poke on top adds the perfect balance of texture and flavor, a true showstopper that earned him the title at last year's festival.
Chef Don shares two more unique poke creations: a dried aku sesame poke, which highlights the deep umami flavor of aku with sesame and shoyu, and a dried ahi tinono poke, featuring chewy, smoky dried ahi and a mix of traditional Hawaiian seasonings.
For dessert, he shares a quick and easy take on a classic Samoan dessert, pani popo. He uses soft bread rolls and whips up a fast haupia cream to pour over the top, creating a simple, sweet finish to this poke-forward feast.
Sam and John join the fun with their own creation: a savory poke pie. This inventive dish uses a crust made of blended Ritz crackers, arare, and fresh basil. It's filled with a creamy mix of smoked kampachi, mayonnaise, cream cheese, onions, tomatoes, celery, and peppers.
Don't miss your chance to taste creations like these in person at the 2025 Kauai Poke Fest at Koloa Landing! For tickets and info, visit: www.kauaipokefest.com
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