THE 26th Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival continues this Saturday, May 17, in Garapan, Saipan, with a spotlight on cooking demonstrations and free tasting, including roasted grass-fed beef from Tinian.
The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. at American Memorial Park, with a delegation from the Tinian Mayor’s Office serving up samples of beef starting at 6 p.m. while supplies last.
“We’re super excited to have the community of Tinian represented at Taste of The Marianas this week, just as we had the Rota community on opening night,” said MVA Acting Managing Director Judy C. Torres. “The people are what make ‘Taste’ such a great representation of the best of The Marianas, so it’s nice to have all islands celebrating together.”
Live cooking demonstrations will be held on the second stage beginning at 7 p.m. Gloria “Yaya” Reyes, the daughter of the late and well-known baker Escolastica Cabrera and owner of Yaya’s Baked Goods, will grill “apigigi” – lightly sweetened young coconut meat and tapioca grilled in a banana leaf. Titiyas – white flour tortillas with coconut – will be offered by home cook Maria Naputi. Festivalgoers will be able to sample the two delicacies while supplies last.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the delegations from Tinian and Rota to this weekend’s Taste of the Marianas!” said MVA Community Projects Specialist and lead event coordinator Jack Aranda. “I’m especially excited to once again enjoy Tinian’s famous roasted cow. Don’t miss the apigigi and titiyas demonstrations happening backstage. This weekend is a wonderful celebration of our culture, unity, and flavors as we all come together to Taste The Marianas!”
The entertainment lineup for the night is slated to be: High Tide (5 p.m.), Da Kine (6 p.m.), Uralii (6:30 p.m.), Marianas High School Polksai Chamorro Club/Simiyan Mañaina-ta/I NÅPU (7 p.m.), Marianas High School Micronesian Cultural Club (8 p.m.), Tipiyeew Bwiibwis (8:30 p.m.), Tinian Cultural Dancers (9 p.m.), and Famalao’an Luta (9:30 p.m.).
In last week’s Inas’ Kitchen International Food Challenge, food fighters Sachiyo Masubuchi and Max Suzuki of Japan devoured two 3-lbs. Swiss burgers and two pounds of French fries in 23 minutes to take the championship, besting teams from South Korea and The Marianas.
Taste of The Marianas is an annual signature event of the MVA and is open every Saturday night from 5-10 p.m. (until 11 p.m. on the final night) during May Marianas Tourism Month. The festival is a gourmet delight, offering some of the destination’s best cuisine and featuring affordable dishes from local hotels and restaurants, live entertainment, eating and cooking contests, arts and crafts sales, and more. Entry is free.
Food, drink and art vendors accept only debit/credit cards and Taste tokens. Cash is not accepted. Taste tokens are sold at the festival token booth and may also be purchased in advance at the MVA office on Beach Road, I Liyan, Saipan during regular working hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding weekends and public holidays.
This year’s festival eateries include Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Herman’s Modern Bakery, V-Lyn’s BBQ, Benki, Kinpachi Japanese Restaurant, 123 Foods, CK Smokehouse & Salad, T Bar, The Hut, Kanto 10, Yaya’s Baked Goods, Loco & Taco, Lanlan Tea House, Fork & Spoon, Matty’s BBQ, Tupu Cane Juice, Oh My Grill, 38 Mitsubachi, Surf Club Saipan, Great Harvest, Saipan World Resort, Dea Jang Kum, Chow Time, and Pho Tam. Drink vendors are WSTCO, Marpac/Unified Sports Organization, and Napu Brewing.
Festival Platinum Sponsors are IT&E and Dave Electronic Center. Gold Sponsor is American Memorial Park. Silver Sponsors are Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands, Northern Marianas Technical Institute, Century Insurance, Subway, Foremost, Coca-Cola, Inas’ Kitchen, Jose & Ruri Ayuyu Foundation, EST Rental, Marianas Variety and M&C LLC General Construction.
For more information, visit www.mymarianas,com/, @VisitTheMarianas on Facebook, or @TheMarianas on Instagram.
Lanlan Tea House is one of 26 food and drink vendors at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan. The festival continues on Saturday evenings throughout May.
Loco & Taco serves up Korean dishes as one of 26 food and drink vendors at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan. The festival continues on Saturday evenings throughout May.
Banh mi from PhoTam are among the choices of 26 food and drink vendors at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan. The festival continues on Saturday evenings throughout May.
T Bar is among the choices of 26 food and drink vendors at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan.
Herman’s Modern Bakery is one of 26 food and drink vendors at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan. The festival continues on Saturday evenings throughout May 2025.
The Hut is one of 26 food and drink vendor choices at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan.
Sachiko Masubuchi and Max Suzuki of Japan, standing left, celebrate their victory in the Inas’ Kitchen International Food Challenge on May 10, 2025, at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival at American Memorial Park, Saipan.
Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts students perform at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan.
The 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival features arts and crafts, food and drinks and live entertainment on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan. The festival is held every Saturday night during May Marianas Tourism Month.
Dancers perform a traditional Filipino number at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 10, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan.
