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Triumphant Taste of the Marianas
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Posted on May 31 1999
It was the first Food Festival on the island and undoubtedly the most successful activity held under the Visit the Marianas ’99 Campaign.
Amid the slump on the island’s tourism economy, the festival dubbed as “Taste of the Marianas” somehow brought life in the Garapan area, once a bustling tourist district.
The American Memorial Park was given a local touch as staff of the Marianas Visitors Authority patiently built several huts, which were used by the different hotels and restaurants in preparing and selling food.
Where else can you buy a yakitori for $1 (Hafa Adai Hotel), local delicacy apigigi $1 (Hula Girl), barbecue chicken $1 (Diamond Hotel), fish escabeche or grilled chicken for $3 (Hyatt Hotel), fried squid for $2 (Dai-Ichi), vegetarian curry or beef curry for $3 ( A Taste of India), set meal of meat or seafood for $6 ( Pacific Gardenia). Of course, kids lined up for ice slush for $2.
Held every Saturday in May, the food festival kicked off the Tourism Month Celebration. Parents with their babies and children in tow flocked to the American Memorial Park to have dinner or simply watch the free entertainment provided by Marianas Rhythm, Reef Band, Olomwaay Band and singer Kelvin Atalig, to name a few.
On May 29, 1999, the last night of celebration, almost 100 employees of MVA members who have rendered service for 10 years or more were given recognition for their valuable contribution to the growth of the tourism industry.
MVA promised to hold a bigger and much better food festival next year as members of the Japan Saipan Travel Association pledged to assist in promoting the affair.
Winners in the Chef’s Competition are: Soup: First place, Plumeria Resort Hotel; Second Place, Hafadai Beach Hotel; and Third Place, Plumeria Resort Hotel; Salad: First Place, Hotel Nikko Saipan; Second Place, Dai Ichi Hotel; and Third Place, Plumeria Resort Hotel. Main Entree: First Place, Plumeria Hotel Resort; Second Place,
Hotel Nikko Saipan; and Third Place Hyatt Regency Hotel. Dessert: First Place, Hafadai Beach Hotel; Second Place, Dai Ichi Hotel; and Third Place, Pacific Gardenia Hotel.
