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17th Annual Taste of the Marianas closes strong
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Posted on Jun 04 2015
The 17th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden closed out its final night on Saturday, May 30, with the largest crowd yet gathered to join a full night of entertainment and the highly anticipated Chefs Competition.
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- JJ Concepcion and Tru Marianas performed at the 17th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 30, 2015. (MVA)
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- Hopwood Jr. High School’s Simiyan Nina’la performs at the 17th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 30, 2015. (MVA)
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- Roast pig of D’Elegance Café and food and beverages from 17 other vendors were featured at the 17th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 30, 2015, on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. The event is held every Saturday during May Tourism Month. (MVA)
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- The entry of Marianas Resort & Spa claimed 2nd place in the Chefs Competition on May 30, 2015, at the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden. The annual signature event is jointly organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands. (MVA)
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- Junior chefs of local hotels presented their best “Marianas Albondigas” at the Chefs Competition at the 17th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 30, 2015, in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. Fiesta Resort & Spa claimed 1st place, followed by Marianas Resort & Spa in 2nd, and Hyatt Regency Saipan in 3rd. (MVA)
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- Entertainers young and old of the Polynesia dance group Alana Ia perform at the 17th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 30, 2015. (MVA)
“In all, the Taste of the Marianas was another great success this year,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “We thank all our partners, especially the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and the National Park Service, for joining our staff in putting together another great festival this year. There’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes, so the enthusiasm of the community for the Taste is very rewarding for us.”
Top winners in the competition pitting hotel junior chefs against each other were Nestor De Vera and Eduardo Gabito of Fiesta Resort in first place, Rommel Villaviza and Arnold Capuliof Mariana Resort & Spa in second place, and Chelsea Cummings and Hannah Strong of Hyatt Regency Saipan in third. In a nod to the Marianas’ rich Spanish history, this year’s theme of the Chefs Competition was “Marianas Albondigas,” featuring Certified Angus Beef Chuck Ground. Chefs also created their own fresh sides that will include local starches such as breadfruit, sweet potatoes, yam, or plantains. Entries were judged on appearance of the beef, tenderness/texture, and presentation of theme. The winners received cash prizes from the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and Certified Angus Beef products.
The Taste of the Marianas brings some of the best of island cuisine and entertainment to American Memorial Park every Saturday evening beginning at 6pm in May as part of the month-long celebration of Tourism Month in the Northern Mariana Islands. (MVA)
