Story By: Anne Lee | Photos by: MARK GALACGAC
ANNE LEE speaks with Lanakila Pacific marketing and communications manager LAURIE HARA and The Good Table co-chair CHEF ALAN WONG
I had the chance to talk with Laurie Hara, marketing and communications manager of Lanakila Pacific, and world-renowned chef Alan Wong. We sat down at his flagship restaurant that is celebrating 25 years to talk story and learn about The Good Table.
AL: Can you please tell me more about The Good Table and how it started?
LH: The Good Table originated 12 years ago as a way of raising funding for Lanakila Meals on Wheels, and it has grown over the years. We were inspired by a similar concept that a nonprofit in New York City did, but ours was different in the sense that we asked restaurants to create a special off-the-menu meal for one table, one night. COVID-19 has changed everything. So, we’ve re-conceptualized the event into a marketing campaign in support of restaurants. From now to Aug. 6, island chefs are crafting incredible dishes inspired by a senior of Lanakila Meals on Wheels. Dine-in or takeout, 100 percent The Good Table purchases helps participating restaurants get one meal closer to rebuilding their businesses. What we did was gathered stories of our kupuna, assigned one to each restaurant, and challenged the chefs to create a special dish in honor of that senior.
For more information check out our Dining In feature
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