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BBQ Pork Ribs Cookoff at ‘Taste’ on May 20
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- Sweet Escape satisfies the sweet tooth at the 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden on May 13, 2017, at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan. (MVA)
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- The Thai House Restaurant is one of 13 food vendors featured at the 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan. The Taste of the Marianas will continue every Saturday throughout May Tourism Month. (MVA)
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- Desserts and more are on the menu of Hyatt Regency Saipan at the 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, on May 13,2017. (MVA)
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- Japanese travel agents visit the 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, on May 13, 2017. The agents are on a familiarization tour arranged by the Marianas Visitors Authority. (MVA)
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- Polynesian dance group Pacific Flowers performs at the 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, on May 13, 2017. (MVA)
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- Poksai Guma Chamorro performs at the 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, on May 6, 2017. The Taste of the Marianas will continue every Saturday throughout May Tourism Month. (MVA)
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- From left, Flowerpot T. Salas, Lydia Salas, and Norman Rasiang of Flowerpot Creations join other artists at the 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, on May 13, 2017. (MVA)
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- Competitors in the “Kadun Pika” (spicy chicken) Cookoff prepare their dishes at 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, on May 13, 2017. (MVA)
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- Judges award Andrew Songsong first place in the “Kadun Pika” Cookoff at 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden at Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, on May 13, 2017. Pictured from left are James Harris, Songsong and child, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Christopher A. Concepcion, Sophia Alvarez, Farah Younis, and Samson Tan. (MVA)
Think you have the best barbecue ribs on Saipan? Bring your recipe and see if the judges agree at the BBQ Pork Ribs Cookoff on Saturday, May 20, at the 19th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden.
Registration is still open for the first 10 adults. The fun starts at 5:30pm, with judging at 7:30pm and awards at 8:30pm. Registration is free, but competitors must provide their own grill, charcoal, ingredients, and other equipment. Ribs will be provided by sponsors Twins and Hannam supermarkets. The deadline to register is Friday, May 19, at 5pm at the Marianas Visitors Authority office in San Jose.
“We’re looking for the best ribs [o]n Saipan, professional or non-professional,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “If your ribs are tender and delicious, come on out for some fun and friendly competition on Saturday.”
Prizes are: first place, $250, a $100 shopping spree from Twins and Hannam, and $50 in Taste tokens; second place, $150, a $75 shopping spree from Twins and Hannam, and $50 Taste tokens; and third place, $50, a $50 shopping spree from Twins and Hannam, and $50 Taste tokens.
On the main stage, the night’s entertainment will include Out of the Ordinary Band at 6pm, CAB Dancers at 7pm, Alana’ai at 7:30pm, Saipan Music & Dance Studio at 8:30pm, UBSES at 9pm, and Da Kine at 9:30pm.
Last week, the Taste challenged competitors to the popular local dish kadun pika (spicy chicken). Seven chefs took the challenge of the “Kadun Pika” Cookoff and prepared their dishes on site, with Andrew Songsong getting the highest judges’ rating for first place, Gloria Tenorio in second place, Spencer Marchadesch and Angelo Camacho in third, and Kaliko Camacho in fourth. Nearly $900 in cash, shopping gifts certificates, and Taste tokens were awarded to the winners.
“We are receiving tremendous support from Twins and Hannam supermarkets for our new cookoff challenges this year, and we thank you,” said Community Projects specialist and Taste lead coordinator Ray Villagomez. “Most especially, we thank all the competitors for coming out to share their specialty dishes.”
Thirteen food and three beverage vendors are participating in the MVA’s annual signature event, which features international cuisine at affordable prices from hotels and restaurant vendors, non-stop live entertainment on the main stage, nightly contests on the secondary stage, and arts and crafts sales. The festival will be held from 6pm to 10pm each Saturday in May, closing at 11pm on the final night.
Participating food vendors are Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Kanoa Resort, Mariana Resort & Spa, Herman’s Bakery, D’Elegance Cafe, Furusato Restaurant, Thai House, Tropical Chills, Sierra’s Pearl Shake, Sweet Escapes, Matty’s BBQ, and Tony Roma’s/Capricciosa. New this Saturday will be Kinpachi Restaurant.
Residents are also encouraged to show their support for Tourism Month by observing “Hafa Adai Tirow Spirit” Island Wear Fridays and participating in Tourism Trivia on KCNM-KZMI, KKMP, KWAW, and Power 99.CNMI students grades 6-12 can win cash and Taste tokens in the “See My Marianas” graphic art design contest, which has been extended to May 19.
For registration forms and rules for the BBQ Pork Ribs Cookoffs, visit www.mymarianas.com or contact Villagomez at rvillagomez@mymarianas or 664-3210. (MVA)
