DESPITE a tight budget, the Marianas Visitors Authority is sponsoring the 4th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival which began Saturday with more than a dozen participating booths.
Acting MVA Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente said 17 booths are taking part in the weekly food festival throughout the month.
Members of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, local restaurants and the Northern Mariana Islands Bartenders Association are participating in this year’s food festival with the theme “Tourism Works for the CNMI.”
Benavente said the number of participating booths this year is the same as last year.
Saipanda, the official tourism mascot of the CNMI, roamed American Memorial Park and mingled with the crowd.
MVA promises more surprises next week.
Aside from the usual picnic-style dinner and local entertainment, the crowd would be treated to a cooking demonstration next week.
Hard Rock Cafe Regional Executive Chef Kotwal M. Singh will hold a cooking demonstration on May 11.
Singh expressed hope that more people would come to participate in the food festival, which is held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Saturday this May.
