FLAVORFEAST PLEASES PALATES
Event lets Spa City get a taste of the world
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » A few early afternoon rain showers didn’t stop people from heading downtown for the fourth annual Saratoga International Flavorfeast.
The event, featuring flavors from different countries, took place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The Saratoga International Flavorfeast was created to bring greater awareness to the richness of local diversity while celebrating the worldly culinary styles and people that give this area its unique flair.
The event included $1 samples of ethnic dishes at more than 25 participating restaurants.
“I did it last year too,” said Spa City resident Alberto Rodriguez. “It’s pretty cool, it’s kind of like chowder fest, so you can walk around, taste everything that Saratoga has. I like coming here because you can just have some fun and taste a little bit of everything for only a dollar.”
“I think this festival has some of the best foods and we’ve been to others,”
added Saratoga resident Bob Allen. “It’s nice because it’s all local restaurants and if you like what you see then you can go back to that restaurant another time.”
Participating businesses included Ben & Jerry’s, Alaturco, Boca Bistro, Burger Fi, Druthers Brewing Company, Fish at 30 Lake, Harvey’s Restaurant & Bar, Hattie’s, Henry Street Taproom, Mexican Connection, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Park Side Eatery, Peabody’s, Phila Fusion Noodle Bar, Prestwick Chase at Saratoga, Prime at Saratoga National, Ravenous, Skidmore College Food Service, Sushi Thai Garden, The Inn at Saratoga, The Parting Glass, Three Vines Bistro & Bar, and Wheatfield’s Restaurant & Bar. Saratoga Olive Oil and the Savory Pantry also offered free tastings throughout the day.
“We’ve never been to this before, it just seemed like a lot of good places and a lot of good flavors,” said Stillwater resident Chris Wright.
In addition to food samples at eateries on Broadway, Phila Street, Henry Street, and Lake Avenue, festival-goers were able to visit restaurants from outside the center of town set up in the Saratoga Downtowner parking lot on the corner of Broadway and Division Street.
This year’s event also included live cultural entertainment throughout the streets of the city, such as African drumming, bagpipers, and Latin dancing.
Foreign cars, provided by Keeler Motor Car Company and Capital Luxury Cars, were also on display on Division Street as part of the multi-cultural celebration.
The MVP Healthcare sponsored lot on Division Street hosted a family area that offered Ben & Jerry’s ice cream; face painting by About Face courtesy of MVP Health Care; the MVP Health Care Booth featuring giant Jenga, sidewalk chalk activities and more for kids; children’s activities with the Children’s Museum at Saratoga; a Saratoga Springs High School International History Club Oktoberfest Tent including German music, games, German candy, and a cultural display; multi-cultural entertainment throughout the day; and a photo booth offering free photos from around the world.
Some people even decided to stop into the Flavorfeast from out of the state while they were in town for other events. “We’re actually here for a college golf match for our son and we decided to come see Saratoga Springs and we saw how busy it was down here, so we decided to stop at this Flavorfeast,” said New Hampshire resident Steve Chenard.
The American Red Cross of Northeastern New York was also on site at the Saratoga International Flavorfeast to collect monetary donations to help those impacted by the recent hurricanes. Additionally, there was a raffle of internationally themed beverage baskets provided by DeCrescente Distributing Co., with proceeds going to The American Red Cross.