The annual Big Island agricultural showcase marks its 15^th year on Friday, Sept. 10 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The event brings together ranchers, farmers, restaurateurs, foodies, locavores and eager eaters to celebrate a bounty of locally produced food with a focus on 100 percent grass-fed beef.

The day-long Big Isle ag extravaganza kicks off 10:30 a.m. with a new educational track for culinary students with the assistance of Hawai‘i Community College instructor Sandy Barr Rivera.

Over 30 of the state’s top chefs dazzle diners 6-8 p.m. with delectable dishes using grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, goat, mutton and wild boar—plus fresh island fruit and veggies. In addition, attendees can meet Hawai‘i’s food producers at gaily-decorated vendor booths and talk story with the farmers and ranchers who make a living growing our food.

Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival provides a venue for sustainable agricultural education, encouragement and support of locally produced ag products.