Taste of the Marianas as delectable as ever

AFTER a year-long hiatus due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, community members gather once again for the Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden.

The 22nd festival was held from Friday to Sunday at the  Garapan Fishing Base.

The annual signature event of the Marianas Visitors Authority, it  features international cuisine, live entertainment, and arts and crafts sales.

It was held from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, and 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, and Sunday, Aug. 29.

In her opening remarks, MVA board vice chair Gloria Cavanagh said because of the CNMI’s airport screening policies, stringent community Covid-19 policies and the community’s cooperation, the festival took place amid a still raging global Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are pleased to bring back the Taste as we work to strengthen tourism so that people can return to work and put food on the table, especially when [the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program] ends in September… This is for the people as well as the tourists,” she said.

Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, in his remarks, said: “This is definitely an event that I look forward to every year. I’d like to thank MVA, our partners in both the government and the private sector for making this possible…. Usually this event is to promote tourism, but I think the main spirit behind this is [bringing] visitors and residents [together]…. It’s nice to see the turnout… Let’s continue to promote the ‘Hafa Adai and Tirow’ spirit.”

MVA Managing director Priscilla Iakopo said, “We have one added special ingredient, and that is gratitude, gratitude that we are here, being able to enjoy this special event when other people in parts of the world are not able to… Look around you, at the people who are sitting right next to you. We probably would not have been able to do this several months ago or a year ago. We ask you to remain vigilant, practice the 3W’s, have fun, be safe, and enjoy the Taste of the Marianas.”

There were two points of entry at the north and south sides of Garapan Fishing Base.

All attendees underwent a mandatory temperature check, wore masks, and were issued  wristbands upon entry to the event.

Moreover, all attendees were required to wear masks when not eating or drinking.

Over 20 food and two beverage vendors took part in the festival, including Surf Club Restaurant, Loco & Taco Dining and Bar, Meals4U, The Hut, Chagi Norf Kitchen, World Resort Saipan, Furusato, Island Grindz, Matty’s BBQ, Tyler’s Gelatte Stone, Herman’s Bakery, Kinpachi Japanese Restaurant, D’Elegance Café, Beans & Bag, ChowTime, Jacob’s Bake Shop & BBQ, and MarPac.

Vendors accepted both Taste of the Marianas tokens or cash. However, tokens were not sold this year.

Local craftspeople from the Commonwealth Council for Arts & Cultures displayed their crafts for sale, including MT Cups & Stuff and Nature’s Treasures.

Environmental groups and other business partners also had booths, including the Friends of the Marianas Trench Monument Project HOPE, IT&E CNMI, and the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality.

Entertainers lit up the stage with a variety of performances, with the Saipan Community School Ukulele Club opening up the festival with their rendition of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.”

They also led the festivalgoers in the singing of the national and Commonwealth anthems.

Other entertainers throughout the weekend included the MVA Summer Jam winners Sugar Kingz, as well as the Saipan Awaodori Team, Joselyn Toves, Ben San Nicolas, POLKSAI Guma Chamorro, Saipan Music & Dance Studio, Ana Glushko Dance Academy, High Tide, Man Antigo, JX Dance Ballet, Tahiti Nui, South Korean K-Pop, Marianas Saxophone Ensemble, Simiyan Marianas, Black Sands, Tasi and the Ali’is, Baraha Band, Laly 4, Da King, Petlas Micronesia, Studio 29:11, Cab Dancers, and WD40.

The Road to 80 grand finale was held at 8 p.m. Saturday during the festival.

Also featured was a “Bunuelos Kamuti” eating contest on Sunday, open to the first 10 registrants ages 18 and older.

The contest challenged participants to eat the most “bunuelos kamuti” in 30 minutes, or be the first to finish four pounds of the deep-fried dessert.

The event likewise featured the “Kadun Pika” cooking contest, and the “Eskabeche” cooking contest.

“Kadun pika” is stewing chicken with a healthy dose of garlic and other seasoning, including donne, the potent local hot pepper.

“Eskabeche” is a fish dish with a vinegar-based sauce and fresh vegetables.

This year’s festival was sponsored by Bank of Guam, IT&E, Bridge Capital, and Dave’s Electronics Center.

MVA would also like to thank the CNMI Covid-19 task force, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, the Bureau of Environmental Health, Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control, BECQ, the Department of Public Lands, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the Saipan Mayor’s Office, the Saipan Zoning Office, the Department of Public Safety, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and several other government agencies for their cooperative efforts in making this year’s festival possible and safe.

For more information, contact MVA community projects specialist Ray Villagomez at [email protected] or 664-3200.

Community members arrive at the festival grounds on Saturday

180 Productions

Ben San Nicolas from Guam was one of the entertainers at the festival this past weekend.

A family undergoes a temperature check before entering the festival grounds on Friday.

MVA Managing Director Priscilla Iakopo gives her opening remarks.

Saipan Awaodori Team

Saipan Awaodori Team

SCS Ukulele group was the opening act at the festival. 

Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez delivers his opening remarks.

Sugar Kingz