The fifth annual Dinner in the Buff (’n Blue), an alumni foodie event hosted by Punahou Alumni Association, was the biggest and possibly, best yet. A festive gathering of 350 alumni and guests, most clad in buff ‘n blue aloha attire, attended the Sept. 28 event at the Thurston Chapel Courtyard.
Seven alumni establishments showcased their cuisine and libations:
Feast – Chef/Owner Jon Matsubara ’91
Giovanni Pastrami and Pounders Restaurant – Managing Partner/CEO Ryan Tanaka ’98
Giovedi – Owner Jennifer Akiyoshi ’06
Local General Store – Head Butcher/Owner Jason Chow ’05
MW Restaurant – Pastry Chef/Co-Owner Michelle Karr-Ueoka ’93
Pili Group – Chef/Co-Founder Mark “Gooch” Noguchi ’93
Beer Lab HI – Co-Owners Kellie Kong ’02 Taguchi and Kailey Onizuka ’08 Wong
Nick La‘a ’19 and Zac Uchima ’18 of La‘a provided live entertainment.
The alumni chefs offered creative, locally sourced dishes like Local General Store’s Beef Carpaccio featuring Griffith Livestock beef, Hawaiian Vinegar Company vinaigrette, Kupu microgreens and house-made pickles. Giovedi sampled a mouth-watering Hokkaido Milk Roll Slider featuring duck and foie gras meatballs and plum agrodolce. Pili Group’s hard-working kitchen crew, which included some Punahou students and faculty, featured two ‘ono flatbreads made from ingredients sourced on campus and made by student chefs.
Dinner in the Buff (’n Blue) is one of the most popular alumni events hosted by Punahou Alumni Association, and this year sold out within hours. The event offers alumni chefs an opportunity to share their cuisine with the Punahou ‘ohana. The event is held annually in September. Alumni-owned restaurants interested in participating should contact the alumni office.