2019 Hawaii Food and Wine Festival Photographer - Mike Vidales
These images are from night 1 at Alohilani Hotel for the 2019 Hawaii Food and Wine Festival.
There's something magical about documenting an event where culinary artistry, island culture, and ocean views converge. As a photographer, these moments offer rich visual storytelling opportunities, and the 2019 Hawaii Food & Wine Festival's opening day at the Alohilani Resort provided exactly that canvas.
Setting the Scene: Alohilani Resort Waikiki
Perched on the beachfront of Waikiki, the Alohilani Resort served as the perfect backdrop for the festival's opening celebrations. The resort's modern aesthetic with its Hawaiian influences created a stunning visual contrast - sleek architecture against the natural beauty of Oahu's coastline. As I arrived early to scout locations, the staff was putting final touches on the 5th floor pool deck, transforming it into a culinary wonderland that would soon host some of the world's most renowned chefs.
The Calm Before the Culinary Storm
There's something uniquely peaceful about an event space before guests arrive. The meticulous arrangement of serving stations, the precise placement of tasting glasses, and the focused energy of chefs preparing their signature dishes - these quiet moments of preparation tell as compelling a story as the bustling event itself.
I took advantage of this time to capture the chefs in their element, documenting their concentration and creativity as they prepared to showcase Hawaii's finest local ingredients. The festival's commitment to highlighting locally grown, raised, and caught products was evident in each chef's station and the careful explanations of their dishes.
When the Doors Opened
As VIP guests began arriving at 5:00 PM, the energy transformed. Through my lens, I captured the excitement as attendees discovered the range of culinary offerings. The late afternoon sunlight created a golden glow across the venue, illuminating plates of expertly crafted dishes that celebrated the fusion of traditional Hawaiian ingredients with international techniques.
Highlights Through My Lens
The most captivating moments often came unexpectedly - the expression of delight as someone tasted a particularly innovative dish, the animated conversations between chefs and curious food enthusiasts, and the impromptu collaborations between culinary masters who found inspiration in each other's creations.
A particularly memorable moment was capturing the ceremonial preparation of fresh seafood. The concentration and precision of the chefs as they worked was a photographer's dream - telling the story of Hawaii's deep connection to the ocean and the respect these culinary artists have for their ingredients.
The Alohilani Ambiance
What made the festival at Alohilani special was how the venue itself became part of the experience. As evening approached, the infinity pool reflected the deepening blue of the sky, and the resort's signature lighting created an atmosphere that complemented the sophisticated yet relaxed Hawaiian hospitality.
Guests moved between indoor and outdoor spaces, and my camera followed, documenting both intimate conversations in quieter corners and lively gatherings around popular chef stations. The Oceanarium, with its colorful marine life, provided a uniquely Hawaiian backdrop for many attendees taking a moment between tastings.
Final Thoughts
As the first day wound down and the last light faded from the sky, I found myself reflecting on what makes events like the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival so compelling to photograph. Beyond the obvious visual appeal of beautifully plated food and picturesque settings, it's the authentic moments of connection - between chefs and their craft, between diners and new flavors, and between Hawaii's agricultural heritage and modern culinary innovation.
The 2019 festival's opening day at Alohilani was a celebration of Hawaii's place in the global culinary landscape, and I'm grateful to have documented these moments that highlight not just food and wine, but the community and culture that make Hawaii a world-class culinary destination.
Mike Vidales is a professional photographer specializing in culinary, travel, and event photography across Hawaii. View more of his work at www.mikevidales.com.
