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Taste of the Marianas unfolds at AMP
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Posted on May 17 2004
The 6th Annual Taste of the Marianas finally unfolded last Saturday night, featuring live musical and dancing performances, and highlighted by the annual Bartenders Competition at the American Memorial Park Bell Tower Field.
The competition lived up to the hype as all 10 bartenders put on a show that amazed the crowd.
Reigning supreme was bartender Michael Bederio of Saipan Grand Hotel, who wowed the judges and the crowd to walk home with $300 after besting nine other competitors. He also won the Best in Show category.
Bederio, who placed runner-up last year, moved up the ladder, winning with a competition-best 81.25 points behind a drink he calls “Southern Cross.”
Finishing in first runner-up and bagging $100 was Roel Caruana of World Resort with 80.58 points, while Marvin Salamat of Sunset Bar and Grill won second runner-up and $50 with 78.08 points.
Judges were Koji Takada of Johnny’s Bar and Grill, Theresa Abdudakil, senior operations manager of Hard Rock Café, Bob Web, sales marketing manager of KZMI, and Philippine consul general Wilfredo Maximo. Taste judges included Bill Owens, owner of Beach Sea Sun Sports, Wilfredo Ching, owner of Perfect Setting, and Ed Johnson of the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Other hotels and restaurants represented during the competition were Marianas Hotel, Nikko Hotel, Aqua Resort Club, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Hafa Adai Hotel, Pacific Gardenia Hotel, and Tambayan Restaurant and Bar.
The competition was sponsored by the Marianas Visitors Authority, Budweiser MARPAC, MC-Asia International, and Western Sales Trading.
The Taste of the Marianas will continue for the next four Saturdays from 6pm to 10pm and will feature various live entertainment and local competitions. Also on the grounds are 18 vendors as part of the International Food Festival and Beer Garden celebration.
All items being sold during the event will be purchased with tokens. Money must be exchange for tokens, with each token worth $1.
The event is hosted by the MVA as part of activities geared to promote May as Tourism Month.
For more information, contact the MVA Saipan Office at 664-3200/01, MVA Tinian Office at 433-9365, or the MVA Rota Office at 532-0327.
