HONOLULU (HI Now) - Chef Mari Wills says she was shocked to hear her name announced as the winner of the Kitchen Scraps fan favorite competition during a Hawaii Food and Wine Festival kickoff event Wednesday, May 14. The Kaneohe native competed on HNN’s cooking competition show and gathered the most votes throughout the season.
As the fan favorite, Wills will receive a cooking spot at a Hawaii Food and Wine Festival event later this year, a fact that makes her simultaneously excited and nervous. “Ever since I started culinary school back in 2008, I’ve dreamed of attending the festival. It’s a full circle moment for me,” said Wills.
Wills is also wrapping up the school year at Kaiser High School, where she teaches culinary arts. For the students’ final exam, Wills is stealing a page from the Kitchen Scraps playbook. “They’re gonna have to cook for some chef judges and run their own restaurant. I’m kind of nervous and excited to see what they’re going to make,” she said.
The Hawaii Food and Wine festival celebrates their fifteenth anniversary this year. Events run from October 17 to November 2. Tickets to most of the events are available now at this link.
Plans are underway for season two of Kitchen Scraps, which will be broadcast on HNN later this year.
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