MW Part I: The bake sale, seriously upgraded

Nadine Kam photos
MW co-owner and pastry chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka presented her creations during the inaugural Baker Faire at her restaurant.

We’re all familiar with the homespun bake sale, but when MW’s award-winning pastry chef Michelle Karr-Ueoka gathers a few of her besties together, you just know it’ll be a bake sale to remember.

The inaugural Baker Faire took place Aug. 16 at MW, where Karr said she always wanted to do a bake sale.

“There are all kinds of food events around town, but none featuring just pastry chefs,” she said, while presiding over a table filled with her baklava, pineapple crostata and truffles.

Pastries, croissants and bread by Halekulani’s Mark Freischmidt, Kimberly Oi of Pili Group, Chris Sy of Breadshop, Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Cafe, Alison Yokouchi of The Pig and The Lady, and Alejandro Briceno, formerly of Prima and V Lounge, sold for about $3 to $5 per item, offered fair style, with scrips purchased up front.

The event started at 10 a.m. and was scheduled to run until 1 p.m. or until sold out, but if you thought you could leisurely stroll in at 11:30 a.m., you were out of luck. Most people opted for the $40 per box option, so pastries went quickly.

With the event’s success, Karr-Ueoka said she’s hoping to set up another event in October, and one just in time for the holidays in December, aiming for a larger venue.
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MW Restaurant is at 1538 Kapiolani Boulevard. Entrance fronts Makaloa Street. Call 955-6505.

Halekulani’s Mark Freischmidt offered blueberry calamansi marshmallows and carrot quinoa bread.

Jason Kim is just getting started on filling his box at the Halekulani table. Behind him, people lined up to get in, purchasing scrips for baked goods at the door.

Celeb chef Lee Anne Wong offered her famous Koko Head Cafe kim chee scones.

Fancy treats abounded, but sometimes you just want a simple, humble M&M cookie, offered by the Pili Group, along with another homespun treat, caramel popcorn.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.