Bake Me Some Bread: King's Hawaiian Event at Catalyst Cambridge

By: Joshua Liao

How can Hawaiian sweet bread be used in both home cooking and upscale, Boston dining? In endless ways, if you ask Courtney Taira. Taira – the granddaughter of the founder of King's Hawaiian bread – recently teamed up with local chef William Kovel to hold a special event at Kovel’s Cambridge restaurant, Catalyst.

King’s Hawaiian is a well known national brand (especially out West), and Catalyst has become a local favorite known for its clean, well-thought out food using fresh regional ingredients. So when I was offered the chance to attend the event and try several of Kovel’s dishes incorporating King’s Hawaiian bread, I knew I would be in for a treat. The experience didn’t disappoint. We started out with mimosas and hors d’oeuvres, and the chicken liver mousse crostini, with added kick from pickled onion and whole grain mustard, quickly became a group favorite. Another outstanding choice was the seared foie gras with braised cherry and orange on sweet bread. It was interesting (and delicious!) to see the King’s Hawaiian product used in various forms as sweet bread, crostini, and garlic chips.

Foie Gras Toast

Lunch continued with two additional dishes. I thought the first – ahi tuna with local greens, sheep’s milk feta, black olive tapenade and King’s Hawaiian crostini – was well done. The tuna was seared nicely and complimented by the light greens, while the tapenade cut through and offered sharp, but not overpowering contrast.

Ahi Tuna

While Hawaiian bread was used in every dish, I felt it was the star of my main course: lamb tenderloin with baby artichoke, treviso, and bread salad using King’s Hawaiian sweet round bread. The lamb was cooked beautifully, but I was more surprised and delighted by the balance of the bread salad. The baby artichokes offered a hint of acid while the treviso contributed a bitter note, all of which mixed well with the dish’s sweet sauce. It was no wonder (to me or those sitting around me) that I completely cleared that plate.

Lamb Tenderloin

We rounded out lunch with white chocolate chip bread pudding topped with caramel sauce, preceded by a live demo given by Chef Kovel and Courtney. Just based on food alone, I thoroughly enjoyed the event. Even better, though, was the chance to chat with Courtney about King’s Hawaiian’s philosophy and the company’s emphasis on partnering only with likeminded companies with similar cultures (e.g. collaborations with Firehouse Subs and Arby’s being recent examples).

Chef Kovel in Action

I also really enjoyed seeing Chef Kovel in action and hearing his thoughts on the working the Hawaiian bread. Financefoodie.com first met him four years ago when he was the chef de cuisine at the award winning Aujourd’hui, and it was a pleasure to see him continuing his passion for crisp, technique driven food through the day’s special menu. As the event concluded, Chef Kovel thanked everyone for coming and reinforced Courtney’s sentiments about the Hawaiian bread’s versatility. Based on my experience trying it in multiple forms and combinations, I can’t argue with that conclusion about King’s Hawaiian: useful in endless ways, in both home cooking and upscale, Boston dining.

****Giveaway****
Congrats Katie! 

King's Hawaiian and Finance Foodie wants to give one lucky reader a taste of Hawaii at home! One reader will receive an "Aloha Basket" consisting of: 1 wicker basket with tropical cloth lining with a variety of King’s Hawaiian bread products, King’s Hawaiian Toasted Coconut Coffee, King’s Hawaiian apron, King’s Hawaiian sunglasses, King’s Hawaiian recipe book and King’s Hawaiian product coupons

There are THREE ways to enter
1. REQUIRED: In my comments section, tell me what is your favorite way to eat bread (ie plain, as a sandwich, etc). Also please include your email address so I can contact you if you win!
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends Friday, July 12, 2013 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen via random integer generator on random.org and announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night!

Photos Courtesy: www.bunnyandporkbelly.com. Giveaway provided by King's Hawaiian. I was not compensated for this post.