Taste of the Marianas finishes strong

The 21st edition of the annual Taste of the Marianas food festival at the American Memorial Park finished strong last May 25 with strong sales throughout the month, according to a Marianas Visitors Authority news release.

It said that sales by the MVA was 8-percent higher than last year and 23-percent higher than in 2017. The first three weeks broke all records will more than $50,000 in nightly sales.

MVA converts cash into Taste of the Marianas tokens that people then use when buying food or drinks at the different stalls.

“In all, Taste of the Marianas this year was a great success,” said MVA managing director Priscilla Iakopo. “Thanks to the support of our partners, the vendors, and the community, our staff were able to build on the success of prior ‘Tastes’ and deliver another great event this year for visitors and residents to enjoy.”

MVA rolled out special incentives to increase sales this year. Each Saturday, the first 40 patrons to purchase $40 or more in Taste tokens got a free caricature sketch by Ronald Valiente.

Also, those who purchased at least $20 worth of tokens on the last two Saturdays received a raffle ticket for giveaways throughout the evening.

Also last Saturday, junior chef Richard Meimban of Grandvrio Resort Saipan bested five other competitors in the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands’ Junior Chefs Competition.

Meimban won $500 from HANMI and giveaways from Certified Angus Beef.

The other winners were Vicente Montoya of Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, who won second place; Maria Pua of Kanoa Resort, third place; Norman Chan of Hyatt Regency Saipan, fourth place; Manny Pancha of Pacific Islands Club Saipan, fifth place; and Ezekiel Quiroz of Tony Roma’s.

This year’s theme, “Chinese Style Beef,” was a nod to the exponential growth in arrivals from China in recent years.

Contestants were required to use Certified Angus Beef sirloin flap and at least three local ingredients from the Garapan Public Market. All cutting and cooking was done on the spot, and the entries were judged by fellow chefs.

The competition is also sponsored by Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods. Earlier competitions in the month included the Kadun Pika Cook-off, BBQ Whole Chicken Cook-off, and J’s Fried Rice Eating Competition, featuring the return of professional food fighter Sachiyo Masubuchi of Japan, who won the 2018 J’s Fried Rice Eating Competition.

The Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden is an annual signature event of the MVA and is one of the largest annual celebrations in the Marianas. It is part of the celebration of the entire month of May as Tourism Month in the CNMI.

The festival features international cuisine at affordable prices from 23 local hotels, restaurant, and drink vendors, along with non-stop live entertainment on the main stage and weekly competitions.

Participating vendors were Hyatt Regency Saipan, Tony Roma’s/Capricciosa, Fiesta Resort & Spa, 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 were offered by Saipan Brewing Co., MARPAC, and Pacific Trading Co.

Last Saturday, the festival ran extended hours on its final night, from 5:30pm to 11pm. (Saipan Tribune/MVA)