NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Honolulu, HI, United States, 12/10/2007 - For many years Hawaii has been the largest per-capita consumer of SPAM. Matthew Gray, former chef to the stars, food journalist, and owner of Hawaii Food Tours, explains Hawaii's ongoing fascination for SPAM on the Travel Channel, December 19.

The Travel Channel network has contacted food expert Matthew Gray, owner/operator of Hawaii Food Tours in Honolulu, to explain the love affair the 50th State has with SPAM.

The Travel Channel was made aware of Matthew Gray after MSNBC named his Hawaii Food Tours as one of the best food experiences in the world.

The TV special, entitled, "10 Things You Don't Know About Hawaii" will premiere on December 19 on the Travel Channel. The show is described as, "Strange customs, weird places and local color of Hawaii" by the Travel Channel producers.

"While conducting my guided restaurant tours here in Honolulu, one of the most-asked questions I get from my guests is about Hawaii's love affair with SPAM," says Matthew Gray, C.F.G. (Chief Food Guy) of Hawaii Food Tours.

Gray admits he didn't know much about SPAM's history prior to moving to Hawaii in 1993. "I was a personal chef to movie stars and rock bands in L.A. and SPAM wasn't requested very often." He adds, "But here in Hawaii you can find SPAM everywhere, in convenience stores, and even in high-end restaurants."

Spam musubi (meaning "tied together") is the most well-known concoction made with SPAM. It’s a very popular snack or luncheon food in Hawaii and resembles Japanese sushi. A slice of Spam is placed onto a block of rice and a piece of nori (dried seaweed) is wrapped around the Spam-rice combination to hold it together. Musubi can be purchased at small deli-type convenience stores (including 7-Eleven stores) all over the Islands, ranging in price between one and two dollars.

Producers of the Travel Channel asked Gray if guests on his one-of-a-kind Hawaii Food Tours get to sample SPAM along the way. His response? "I have the best job in the world; I am paid to eat and socialize with great people from all over the world. If they request SPAM, it's my duty as Hawaii's Food Guy to get it for them."

Agency / Source: Hawaii Food Tours

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