Enjoy A World Of Food At The International Taste Festival

SYRACUSE – You can eat your way around the world at the International Taste Festival via vendors offering delicious items spanning many cultures and cuisines. The festival takes place April 1 in the Center of Progress Building at the New York State Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Admission is $5 by advance sale through March 31 and $10 during the event at the door or online. Children age 10 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available here. USA Today recently named the event one of the 20 best city food festivals in America.

More than two dozen food and beverage vendors will offer entrees, sides, desserts and snacks ranging from American barbecue to Greek pitas to African dishes, from empanadas to Korean specialties to a vegan take on cheesesteak and much more.

“Food tells us a lot about the culture of people in a given place. Our festival brings together the food cultures of places most of us have never been. It’s a delicious way to travel without ever leaving home and gives us a path to understanding people we may never meet. Your appetite is your passport,” said Stephanie Pestillo, festival director.

Vendors appearing at the International Taste Festival are listed below. 16 photos of food, provided by vendors, can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3npQuuz. For descriptions, consult the vendor’s website or social media site.

Asian Creations: 

• Ji-woo’s Korean Seoul Food ~ Dukbokki, Sweet Bop, Hot Bop, Chick Bop, Mandu dumplings
• Chinese Community of Syracuse ~specialty desserts and treats
• India Community Religious and Cultural Center ~ fine Indian Cuisine
• Oompas Loompyas ~ Filipino fusion foods with a twist
• Building the Bridge – Korean Food ~ classic Korean dishes

Foods of the Americas:

• Calle Tropical ~ specialty empanadas and Latin favorites
• Mamacita’s Restaurant ~ Authentic Puerto Rican flavors with a new and fun flair
• Mexican Street Corn – sweet, tasty street corn
• Juicy Freeze ~ Classic fruit smoothies and frozen cappuccino
• Freddy’s Agua Fresca ~ Fresh squeezed lemon & limeade flavored with homemade syrups crafted from fruit, herbs and botanicals
• Birria Quesotacos Syracuse ~ unique birria tacos filled with flavor
• Limp Lizard ~ classic BBQ, pulled pork and more!

Tastes of Europe: 

• Chocolate Treats-Eastern European Fare ~ dark & white chocolate infused sweets
• Eva’s European Sweets ~ Polish delights including pierogi, kielbasa, golabki
• Carousel Cookies ~ baked goods and Italian specialty cookies
• Eats by Elaine ~ Italian Comfort foods such as riggies, meatballs and more!

Pan African Cuisine:

• Our Vegan Corner ~ Vegan menu includes chick’n dinner and sandwiches, V’illy cheese steak, Dazzle chili bowl, chili cheese fries, black bean soup, tacos, mac-n-cheese, cornbread, collard greens, yams and cakes.
• The Taste of Africa ~ Central and Eastern African food such as plantain, rice dishes, veggie and meat dishes
• Johnny Gee’s BBQ and More! ~ classic BBQ and soul food twists

Middle Eastern Treats: 

• Habibis Halal Middle Eastern Cuisine ~ gyro, beautiful side dishes and sweets
• Oasis Market ~ custom Middle Eastern foods, spices, oils and treats
• Pita Dream ~ Pitas, unique salads, hummus and falafel – veggie and meat options

Kids’ Country:  

• Carvel Dewitt ~ Ice cream cones/cups, hot fudge sundaes, milkshakes, orange & root beer soda floats
• Clear Path for Veterans ~ offering kid friendly size hamburgers and hotdogs & sides
• Squeeze Lemonade & Citrus Infusions ~ lemonade and specialty drinks for all ages!

Also, various beers and liquor from Syracuse Suds will be available all day at the festival.

Full details on all aspects of the festival can be found on its website.

About the festival

The International Taste Festival celebrates the music, food and crafts of the world’s many cultures. USA Today named the event one of the top 20 city food festivals in America, calling it “a great place to sample homegrown favorites as well food from around the globe, all for a reasonable price. Live entertainment and a 5K/10K race add to the fun. It’s family-friendly, so bring the kids.”

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