Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – The 26th Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival in Saipan kicks off this Saturday (May 3) for a full month of fun during Marianas Tourism Month.
Taste of The Marianas is an annual signature event of the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) and will be held every Saturday night from 5-10 p.m. (until 11 p.m. on the final night) at American Memorial Park in Garapan, Saipan. The festival is a gourmet’s 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. This weekend’s opening ceremony will start at 4:30 p.m.
“Saturday marks the beginning of five weeks of the best food, drinks, festivities, and fun The Marianas has to offer,” said MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. “Showing a true spread across the islands, ‘Taste’ will also feature free samples of grass-fed roasted cow from our Tinian delegation on May 10 and local medicine from our Rota delegation on select Saturdays. Whether by social media, word of mouth, or posting a flyer, we invite everyone to help spread the word near and far about this gourmet extravaganza we call ‘Taste,’ one of the best times of the year to visit The Marianas.”
The Subway Sandwich Challenge be held on the secondary stage at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday, pitting 12 contestants against an 18-inch Subway sandwich, the clock, and each other.
“We have only one slot left for any fast eater 16-years-old or older who wants to join. Just download the registration form from our website and return it to our office,” said MVA Community Projects Manager Martin Duenas. “There’s some nice prizes in store for the winners, not to mention a fresh, tasty sandwich each contestant will get to enjoy.”
The top three finishers will win gift certificates from Subway/Coca-Cola/Powerade/
The top two finishers in this Saturday’s Subway Sandwich Challenge will also go on to compete next Saturday (May 10) against teams from South Korea and Japan in the Inas’ Kitchen International Food Challenge. Professional food fighter and 2024 champion Sang Hyuk Kwon of South Korea, also known as Sanghaegi (상해기), will defend his title with teammate Hyunhwa Kim, a self-proclaimed dessert-loving mukbang creatoo. Sachiyo Masubuchi of Japan, a former champion of several “Taste” food challenges will be joined by fellow food fighter Max Suzuki.
The entertainment lineup for Saturday is: Admiral Herbert H. Hopwood Middle School Refaluwasch Uprising (5:30 p.m.), Saipan Awadori (6 p.m.), Saipan Dance Studio Ballet (6:30 p.m.), Introduction of Liberation Day Candidates (7 p.m), Saipan Dance Studio Ballet (7:15 p.m.) Rota Primitive Dance Crew (8 p.m.), Pacifica Dancers (8:30 p.m.), Flores Sinser (9 p.m.). and CAB Dancers (9:30 p.m.).
Vendors will accept only debit/credit cards and Taste tokens. Cash is not accepted. Taste tokens will be 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 will 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 will be 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 and M&C LLC General Construction. Additional sponsor is Marianas Variety.
For more information, visit www.mymarianas,com, @VisitTheMarianas on Facebook, or @TheMarianas on Instagram.
OMG (Oh My Grill) serves up barbecue at the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival in May 2024 in Saipan. The 26th Annual Taste of The Marianas will be held by the Marianas Visitors Authority on May 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2025, starting at 5 p.m. at American Memorial Park.
Te Kanuhau Nui performs at Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival in May 2024, at American Memorial Park in Garapan, Saipan. The 26th Annual Taste of The Marianas will be held by the Marianas Visitors Authority on May 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2025, starting at 5 p.m. at American Memorial Park.