Living the Aloha 'Aina With Executive Sous Chef Jayson Kanekoa

WAIKOLOA, HI--(Marketwire - Mar 2, 2012) - Executive Sous Chef Jayson Kanekoa engages culinary enthusiasts on an exclusive "Chef Shuttle" excursion at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. It's a locovore sojourn where farm-to-table dining takes on a creative twist.

On a bright and early morning, Kanekoa will whisk guests from the Kohala Coast resort's porte cochere to his hometown of Waimea where they'll dine at one of his local favorites, Hawaiian Style Cafe, for breakfast. Along the scenic drive, he will inquire about their food interests and preferences before planning the day's route.

"I enjoy talking story with my guests. In that way, I'll be able to plan where I should take them because there's something to be said about providing a unique excursion for each guest," said Jayson Kanekoa. "I tailor each tour according to the season and the guest's palate."

Kanekoa will then take guests to the Waimea farmers market to talk story with local agriculturists such as Luis Rincon who grows strawberries or Wow Farm's Mike and Tricia Hodson who produce vine ripened tomatoes. There are also local ranchers and fishermen to meet. To round out the trip, they will visit family owned and operated farms or the nearby fish market. After shopping for fresh produce, meat or seafood, Kanekoa will return to the resort to prepare those items for a farm-to-table dinner that evening.

Once back at the Waikoloa resort's Hawaii Calls Restaurant & Lounge, Kanekoa will design a customized menu featuring the day's ingredients and prepare the fresh dinner for the guests to enjoy, all within a matter of a few hours.

Starting at $349 per room night, the Chef Shuttle Package includes:

• Weekend (Friday to Sunday) two-night stay in garden mountain view accommodations
• Chef Shuttle
• Dinner for two at Hawaii Calls Restaurant & Lounge

Offered the first weekend of every month. Must stay Friday through Sunday. Based on availability, restrictions may apply. Guests can participate by booking the resort's Chef Shuttle Package at www.Marriott.com/KOAMC or calling (808) 886-6789 with code D60.

About Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Hawaii, the Big Island is located on 15 oceanfront acres overlooking 'Anaeho'omalu Bay and just 18 miles north of the Kona International Airport at Keahole. Offering 555 contemporary guest rooms, suites and cabanas with private lanai and spectacular views, 5,750 square-foot world-renowned Mandara Spa and a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment from cardio to free weights, Hawaii Calls Restaurant & Lounge with an outdoor lanai for ocean view dining, three pools including the Infinity pool with lava pots, Sunset Luau, nearby Waikoloa Golf Club offering 36 holes of championship golf and shops, restaurants and boutiques at The Kings' Shops and the newly-opened Queens' MarketPlace. For more information or reservations, please visit www.Marriott.com/KOAMC or call toll-free at 800 922-5533 or the hotel at 808 886-6789.

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About Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott's signature and most widely distributed brand, with more than 500 hotels and resorts in 54 countries. Marriott continues to inspire performance and a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com. Follow Marriott Hotels & Resorts on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MarriottHotels.

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