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Taste of the Marianas kicks off
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- Furusato Restaurant and 16 other food and beverage vendors served up dinner and dessert on opening night of the 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden last May 7. (Contributed Photo)
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- Herman’s Modern Bakery served up roast pig and other dishes alongside 16 other food and beverage vendors on opening night of the 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas International FoodFestival & Beer Garden last May 7. (Contributed Photo)
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- Coral Ocean Point Resort staff describe their desserts to customers on opening night of the 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden last May 7. (Contributed Photo)
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- Artists and crafts people displayed and sold their wares–including locally made noni products—on opening night of the 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden last May 7. (Contributed Photo)
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- Conall Hartig, second from right, ruled theAges 10-13 heat of the Hotdog Eating Competition at the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden on May 7, 2016. He was followed by Thomas Benavente, right, and Miles Timmons, fourth from right, in third place. (Contributed Photo)
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- Simon Necesito, last year’s 2nd place finisher, chomps his way to 1st place in the Adult Heat of the Hotdog Eating Competition during the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden last May 7. (Contributed Photo)
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- Chamorro dancers who will represent the Northern Mariana Islands at this month’s Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam perform at the 18th AnnualTaste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden last May 7, 2016, in Saipan. (Contributed Photo)
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- Carolinian dancers of the Talabwog Women’s Group who will represent the Northern Mariana Islands at this month’s Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam perform at the 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden last May 7. (Contributed Photo)
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- Chamorro dancers who will represent the Northern Mariana Islands at this month’s Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam perform at the 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden last May 7. (Contributed Photo)
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- Mariana Resort & Spa and 16 other food and beverage vendors, including other members of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, served up dinner and dessert on opening night of the 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden last May 7, 2016 at the American Memorial Park. (Contributed Photo)
The 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden kicked off last Saturday night, bringing some of the best of island cuisine and entertainment to American Memorial Park.
The event is held every Saturday evening beginning at 6pm in May as part of the month-long celebration of Tourism Month in the Northern Mariana Islands.
“We’re so pleased to be working again this year with HANMI and American Memorial Park to make this event possible for our visitors and residents,” said Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “I was surprised to hear some residents were there for the first time last week. We hope everyone will make time this month to experience the Taste.”
For the first time, MVA has three heats of the Hotdog Eating Competition, with Conall Hartig finishing first in the Ages 10-13 Heat, followed by Thomas Benavente in second place, and Miles Timmons rounding out the winners. In the Ages 14-17 Heat, Dylan Camacho finished first, followed by Jonathan Camacho in second. In the adult division, Simon Necesito improved on his 2015 second place finish to nab first place, while 2015 third place finisher Ray Emul also chomped his way to an improved second place finish this year. Marlo Ibanez finished third. The winners won Taste tokens prizes of $50, $30, and $20. The contest was also supported by Herman’s Modern Bakery and Fiesta Resort & Spa.
Saturday’s entertainment lineup included a preview of the CNMI’s performing arts delegates to the Festival of Pacific Arts (FESTPAC) to be held this month in Guam.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity for our delegates to showcase their talent to the community before they head off to represent us at FESTPAC,” said MVA Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “It was awesome to see such a large group of Chamorro and Carolinian dancers performing, and we look forward to more of FESTPAC delegation performances this month.”
The MVA has budgeted $50,000 to support the CNMI’s participation in the Pacific-wide arts and culture celebration.
Taste of the Marianas offers international cuisine at affordable prices by 17 hotels, restaurants, and drink vendors; non-stop live entertainment on the main stage; nightly contests on the secondary stage; and arts and crafts sales.
Next Saturday’s Taste will feature the Pie-eating Competition at the rear stage, at 7pm with the Ages 10-13 Heat, at 7:30pm with the Ages 14-17 Heat, and at 8pm with the Age 18 and Older Heat. (PR)
