‘Taste’ contest registration opens

Chefs of all calibers are invited to sign up for two cooking contests to be held at the 21st Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden during May 2019 Tourism Month.

Registration is now open for the Kadun Pika Contest sponsored by Ladder Beach Restaurant on May 4, the BBQ Whole Chicken Contest on May 11, and the J’s Fried Rice Eating Contest on May 18 sponsored by J’s Restaurant. Registration forms are now available on the Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com.

“We want to thank Ladder Beach Restaurant and J’s Restaurant for their generous support of this year’s Taste of the Marianas, and especially for making it possible for homegrown and professionally trained chefs to come out and demonstrate their culinary skill,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community projects manager Martin Duenas. “We invite everyone to stop by the secondary stage area at ‘Taste’ and enjoy the friendly competition.”

Prizes for the Kadun Pika Cookoff are:

-First place: dinner buffet for two at Killi Café and one night stay at Hyatt Regency Saipan, a $250 gift certificate to Chairman M restaurant, and a $50 gift certificate to Ladder Beach Restaurant (nearly $900 in prizes);

-Second place: Sunday brunch for two at Giovanni’s at Hyatt Regency Saipan, a $150 gift certificate to Chairman M restaurant, lunch for two at World Café at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, and a $125 gift certificate to Ladder Beach Restaurant (over $400 in prizes); and

-Third place, a $100 gift certificate to Chairman M restaurant, seafood dinner for two at World Café at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, and a $75 gift certificate to Ladder Beach Restaurant (over $200 in prizes).

Prizes for the BBQ Whole Chicken Cookoff are:

-First place: one-night stay and dinner buffer for two at Hyatt Regency Saipan and a $250 gift certificate from Chairman M restaurant;

-Second place: Sunday brunch for two at Giovanni’s at Hyatt Regency Saipan, Sunday brunch for two at World Café at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, and a $150 gift certificate from Chairman M restaurant; and

-Third place: cultural dinner show for two at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan and a $100 gift certificate to Chairman M restaurant.

The Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden is an annual signature event of the MVA and is one of the largest celebrations in the Marianas.

The festival features international cuisine at affordable prices from local hotels and restaurant vendors, non- stop live entertainment on the main stage. The festival will also feature the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands Junior Chefs Competition on May 25, also sponsored by Triple J Five Star Wholesale.

Each Saturday, the first 40 patrons to purchase $40 or more in Taste tokens will receive a free caricature sketch by Ronald Valiente.

Twenty-three food and drink vendors have registered to offer their tastiest dishes and brews at American Memorial Park during the event. The festival will offer delights from the kitchens of Hyatt Regency Saipan, Tony Roma’s/Capricciosa, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, D’Elegance Cafe, Kanoa Resort, Terry’s Snack Bar, Furusato Restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Mystique BBQ, Sierra’s Pearl Shake, Kinpachi Restaurant, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Ina’s Kitchen, Matty’s BBQ, Tropical Chill, The Hut, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Kensington Hotel Saipan, Java Joe’s, and Thai House. Drinks will be offered by Saipan Brewing Co., MarPac, and Pacific Trading Co.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/mymarianas or email communityprojects@mymarianas.com. (MVA)