Incredible, breathtaking, fabulous – words which only begin to describe the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. I was whisked out of the desert for three glorious days in a lush island paradise. We laughed, relaxed, listened to the waves crash into the shore, and gazed at the stars with our jaws on the ground. Truly, the stars there were like none I’ve ever seen. I relished the impeccable service in a dream-like location – it just doesn’t get any better.
The adventure started a month or so ago with this post, which led to winning a trip with Lucy Lean and her family to the Four Seasons Hualalai. I received the news only ten days before my plane left for Hawaii. I like this kind of voyage best – spontaneous, with no time to truly plan, but with every detail covered. Chef Ludo and wife Chrissy, Evan Kleinman, and Kristina Vanni all traveled with us to celebrate the release of Lucy’s book, Made in America. The celebration entailed dinners, cooking classes, and a trip to an organic tomato farm.
Have you ever stayed at an expensive resort and felt like you didn’t belong? This is not one of those places. Everyone is relaxed, walking around in flip-flops and swim suits, or lounging in a chair reading a book. Even though I know an incredible amount of work goes into running the resort, it felt effortless and natural. Every whim or desire was taken care of, even seemingly anticipated.
I started off each day with an assortment of fruits – dragon fruit, passionfruit, watermelon, and berries. Maybe it was the location, but it was some of the best fruit I’ve ever eaten. I learned from the chefs that over 75% of the food used at the resort grows on the island. They’re striving to become more sustainable and have created relationships with the farmers on the island, buying much of their food directly from the farms.
The first day was full of cooking classes. Evan Kleinman started things off sharing her pie-making expertise. Her tropical pie combined fresh mango, pineapple, lime juice, candied ginger, and coconut – encompassing everything about Hawaii in one slice. (Check out her pie app!)
We left the commercial kitchen and walked out to the Beach Tree Cafe where Chef Ludo taught us how to make mussel veloute – a silky, dreamy soup with wine, shallots, mussels, saffron and cream. Over the course of the weekend, I heard about his restaurant, food truck and show. I also got to sample his brilliant fried chicken (the cover recipe for Made in America).
The second day, we piled into SUVs and headed out to Waimea for a tour of the WOW organic tomato farm. We gazed at row after row of tomatoes in different growth stages. The farmer and his family are truly passionate about their craft. I learned a little tip – the tomato plant stores all the good nutrients in the green leaves. When it’s time for the tomatoes to ripen, the nutrients are sucked out of the leaves and put into the tomatoes. The leaves all turn brown, making you think the tomato plant is dying, but it’s really preparing the fruit for picking.
After our tour we enjoyed a five-course meal centering around the tomato. Large glasses of Bloody Marys, tomato water, tomato and white bean soup, fresh focaccia with goat cheese and tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, homemade tomato orecchiette pasta with a parmesan cream sauce, and even ice cream with a sweet tomato sauce (incredible!). Our bellies were full and so were our hearts after wonderful hospitality and much laughter.
The last day we spent lounging at the resort. A few hours at the beach, a few hours at the quiet pool (nothing above a library voice is allowed – pure bliss for any parent), drinks and jokes with new friends, and a dip in King’s pond – a 1.8 million gallon “aquarium” carved out of lava rock. Pretty much a perfect day.
This resort grabbed hold of my heart. Sometimes I find myself daydreaming of the few days I spent there. Thank you to Lucy, her sweet family and the entire Four Seasons team.
Lucy was kind enough to sign one of her new cookbooks and I’m happy offer it as a giveaway to one of you. To enter, please leave a comment below. Giveaway ends Sunday, January 1st at 11:59pm. Contest open to US residents only. I’ll select one name using random.org and contact the winner. The winner will have 3 days to respond before being disqualified and a new winner chosen. Good luck!
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{ 91 comments… read them below or add one }
What a wonderful sounding trip! Thanks for sharing.
The new cookbook sounds like a lot of fun too.
And I somehow missed the post that led to the trip, probably because it said crawfish and I don’t care for seafood, but I’m glad you reposted. It was a very fun read about your cooking “roots”.
It’s raining & snowing here today (Ohio), but reading about your sunny trip sounded wonderful. I enjoyed reading about your trip to the tomato farm. I just received a bunch of seed catalogs and now is the time I can sit down and start picking out my favorites to plant this coming summer. Gives me something to look forward to.
Sounds like a wonderful trip and a great cookbook, too!
This is awesome! I am so glad you got to go. I have been enjoying your recipes. In fact Santa was given your almond joys and fudge this year instead of cookies.
Hi Carrie! I love your recipes and would love to be entered in the cookbook drawing! Thanks!!
BEAUTIFUL, DELICIOUS LOOKING and PEACEFUL!!! That is totally what describes all your photo’s!
Lucky you, PARADISE FOUND!
Ahhh… to go to Hawaii! For now I’ll keep dreaming. Maybe one day, though
In the meantime I would love to have a copy of the cookbook you are giving away 
Love that resort…wish I could afford to hang out there for a week…or two…
Carrie, this is such a fun re-cap. The Wow tomato farm sounds like a fun side trip. Chef Ludo – I have always heard so much about him. He is. Um. Cute.
The “library” pool. Splendid!
Oh how I wish I could be there right now! Fabulous food, photos and fun! Road Trip!!
The trip sounded fantastic and the food looked yummy as well. How generous to give away a cookbook …it would be an amazing thing to win
Thanks so much for all you do!
Beautiful pictures. I would love to win the cookbook!
That would be wonderful!
Reading about your trip makes me think of my honeymoon in Hawaii. It was a wonderful experience and I hope to return there again someday. Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy your posts!
Wow! Great photos and it sounds like an amazing trip! Wish the giveaway was for a trip to Hawaii (like this one!) but the cook book sounds good too! :0)
What a gorgeous time!! All that fruit and water and sunshine… it looks amazing!
I would love to win the cookbook!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip. I’m excited for a chance to win!
Sounds like a beautiful place and a wonderful time!
Sounds like a wonderful trip! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway:)
Your trip sounded heavenly! Interesting tip about the tomatoes. I always thought mine were dying and needed more water:)
How exciting!–both your trip, and Lucy’s new book. Congrats to you both! I love how the colors in these photos are just popping off the page. Makes me feel a little warmer on this cold, winter night.
What GORGEOUS photography, and what an incredible opportunity! The trip of a lifetime! I’d love to win that cookbook!
Thank you for sharing! It sounds fabulous, especially compared to Maine this time of year!
Beautiful!!!
Sounds like a dream trip. Can’t wait to buy this book or win it!
It sounds like a wonderful time, I can’t wait to get over there and try some of the yummy foods!
I’ve stumbled across your website a few weeks ago and have been impressed with the food and your life style. Thank you for making it so much easier for us to eat healthy and showing us the way we should eat.
ANYWAYS! Your trip sounded amazing. how fun to experience all that.
I would LOVE to have this cookbook and try some of her delicious recipes. fingers crossed.
Sounds wonderful!
How amazing to learn so much about food!!!! Can’t wait to see what recipes you come up with from your time there!
Sounds like true paradise!!
Just reading about your adventure, is breathtaking. What an amazing oppurtunity!
What a great experience. I would love to see a copy of the cookbook.
Sounds like a dream!
Wow!! I’m so jealous. I’d love a trip like that!
Your trip sounds wonderful, thanks for the giveaway!
How inspiring! So glad that you were able to take advantage of the opportunity and even more excited that we get to share it with you. Thank you!
That trip sounds amazing! And the food looks delicious!
You are really living the highlife at the moment!! So, happy for you – sounds like you’re having a wonderful time! I love hearing about your adventures, keep them coming:-)
Beautiful photos and sounds like a great trip in every way. I would love a vacation trip that involves cooking classes. That’s the ultimate!
What an amazing trip!
Your trip sounds amazing! I’m not such a big fan of winter weather, so I studied your photos with wistfully. Can’t wait for spring to get here!
Carrie, your photography is amazing! you truly capture the moment in time. Congrats on your win and I
hope I’m the lucky recipient of the new cookbook. It was on my Christmas wish list
What a wonderful trip. By the way, your fudge and gingerbread cake got rave reviews from our extended family that was here over Christmas; thank you for the recipes.
Your vacation sounds incredible–it makes me want to grab my family and hop on a plane! Thank you for sharing your healthy recipes with all of us, and for the fun giveaway!
What a fun trip! Thanks for sharing!
Carrie- this is truly one of my families favorite places on earth. Really beautiful photo’s.
Oh wow! Your photos are so beautiful! Thank you for all of the yummy recipes that you post.
Sounds like a wonderful trip! While you were sampling tropical foods and savoring the sun, I was baking your pecan pie for my extended family — a huge hit! The cookbook sounds amazing, too. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks Carrie for the great posts! I really value the hard work and love you put into this blog. My family’s health and taste buds thank you!
Sounds like a wonderful time! Thanks for the giveaway!
What an amazing trip!
i want to travel to Hawaii on day! looks like a great cookbook.
I echo the others, wow, amazing. Thanks for the chance for the book!
the trip sounds amazing!!
What a beautiful trip; you are truly blessed! Thanks for doing the giveaway!
Your trip sounds divine. The chance to relax in the sun, visit the farm, and some cooking thrown in. Now, I want to go. You made the resort sound very inviting; it didn’t sound stuffy as some high end resorts do.
Oh I so want a vacation! I so NEED a vacation! That sounds wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself!
Beautiful! Please add me to the list.
The pictures are amazing! Sounds like a wonderful trip and a wonderful cookbook too! I have really been enjoying your meal plans! So far, everything has been so delicious. Thanks for all you do!
What a neat opportunity! I’m so glad you were able to have such a lovely time away! The pictures are gorgeous. . . makes me wish to go someday!
Sounds heavenly…. especially the “quiet” pool!!!
Beautiful and fun! Lucy’s book has been on my wish list since your post.
this looks fabulous!! so good to know about the use of organic and local foods there…
thanks for the chance to win the cookbook.
Sounds absolutely amazing! Hope to some day to be able to visit.
Wow. What a trip! I almost (ALMOST) feel like I got to go there with you. What gorgeous photos and incredible details about the trip. So happy you got to go and have some time with those amazing chefs and Lucy! xoxox,B
Sigh. Sounds wonderful!
Wow…what a wonderful trip!
Sounds like a wonderful experience.
I would love to have a new cookbook!!
Looks wonderful…
Looks like you had a great time. Thanks.
This is my dream vacation. Also in the military, with three kids, I rarely get to see paradise but still hold true that one day I will.
Happy New Year!
Gina
Looks heavenly!
Sounds like a fun trip!
Carrie,
This looks amazing; I am so happy for you. What a fabulous trip. Have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you in NYC in March.
xoxo
Happy Holidays!
A dream! What a year this has been…ready for something beautiful.
How fabulous! I just came across your blog and am loving it! Haiwaii would make one incredible trip!
Have a Happy NYE!!
This looks amazing! Warm weather and tasty food = perfect vacation.
I would love this cookbook! (:
That sounds like a blast!!! I would love to win the cookbook!!
Sounds like a wonderful and relaxing getaway!
What a fantastic experience…I love your photos and I am quite jealous! Happy New Year…hope to see you again in 2012
Wow, what an amazing getaway! Happy New Year!!
The trip sounds lovely – what a great time! The cookbook looks beautiful as well. Happy New Year all!
Now I’m cravin’ for healthy and organic foods here. Vacation is a good combination to enjoy life while being healthy.
Your website and cookbook have helped me begin a transformation in m y kitchen and body! Thanks Carrie! Happy New Year!
great photos, Carrie!! Love this post!
Looks beautiful. I’m new to organic and clean eating and love your website. Thanks!!
I was there at the same time – did some of the cooking classes -sorry i missed you. It is truly a wonderful place – we went for my babymoon
This looks absolutely spectacular…I love the shot of the swimming pool. Thanks for sharing.
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