CHICKEN KELAGUEN COOK-OFF, J-POP AT TASTE OF THE MARIANAS

CHICKEN KELAGUEN COOK-OFF, J-POP AT TASTE OF THE MARIANAS

Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – That savory Marianas side dish chicken kelaguen is expected to have mouths watering at the 26th Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival this Saturday (May 24).

This year’s HANMI-NMTech Chefs Competition will feature the Chicken Kelaguen Cook-off at 6 p.m. with current or former students of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute culinary program. Cash prizes of $500 for 1^st place, $300 for 2^nd place, and $200 for 3^rd place will be handed out by HANMI, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, also a Silver sponsor of the entire festival.

“NMTech is an invaluable partner to the hotel industry in training and inspiring people who help keep guests in our many hotel restaurant outlets full and happy,” said HANMI Chairman Dennis Seo. “We’re excited to partner with the institute on another chefs’ competition this year, and we’re looking forward to some mouth-watering entries!”

Chicken kelaguen is a common Marianas side dish made of shredded roast chicken seasoned with lemon, green onions, and salt and wrapped in a warm corn or flour tortilla…shredded coconut, red ginger, or “donne sali” hot pepper are optional.

Taste of The Marianas is an annual signature event of the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) aimed at attracting media attention and visitors to the islands. The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. at American Memorial Park in Garapan, Saipan. In addition to 26 food and drink vendors and arts and crafts sales, the night’s entertainment will include the appointment of an MVA’s honorary tourism ambassador, the J-pop group SkySyllabus of Japan, who will also perform live at 7:30 p.m.

The group was founded in 2021 and performs across Japan and internationally. The music video of one of their signature songs – “Kirameki White Splash!” - was filmed on location in Saipan in 2023 in collaboration with the MVA. Since 2023, the song has also been the background music for the National High School Baseball Championship airing on Chiba Television in Japan, gaining national-wide exposure. SkySyllabus also performed at Taste of The Marianas last year, attracting fan followers from Japan to the event. 

“SkySyllabus has a deep connection to The Marianas, which is why they continue to return time and again,” said MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. “We are honored to name the group as Marianas Goodwill Idol Ambassador. Their upcoming music video, being filmed right here this month, will help share the charm and natural beauty of our islands with fans in Japan and beyond.”

The entertainment lineup for Saturday is slated to be: Definitive Yorp (5 p.m.), Sugar King (5:30 p.m.), Helen Chin Opera (6:30 p.m.), The Marianas Experience Awards Presentation (7 p.m.), South Korea Human Chorus with Conductor Kang Hang Goo (7:10 p.m.), SkySyllabus (7:40 p.m.), Profound Bandits (8:40 p.m.), Voices of The Marianas (9:10 p.m.), and Tattoo (9:40 p.m.). 

Festival 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 Rd. 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 (HANMI), 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. 

Saipan World Resort is one of 26 food and drink vendors at the 26th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival on May 17, 2025, at American Memorial Park, Saipan. The festival continues on Saturday evenings throughout May.