Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – Rib eye takes center stage in the Marianas Chef Competition slated for Saturday (May 18) at the 25^th Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival in Saipan, The Marianas.

The cook-off at American Memorial Park will challenge 10 chefs to prepare the best rib eye steak dish within an hour, incorporating all local produce provided in a mystery box, beginning at 7 p.m. Rules and registration forms are available at https://www.mymarianas.com/taste-of-the-marianas-2024/ and at the MVA offices in Saipan, Tinian and Rota. 

Entertainment for the night on the main stage includes Project Vibe at 5 p.m., Alallis Cultural Dancers at 5:30 p.m., Glushko’s Dance Academy at 6 p.m., Daegum Flute South Korea at 7 p.m., Sky Syllabus of Japan at 7:30 p.m., Hide Tide at 8:30 p.m., Flores Sinser at 9 p.m., and CAB Dancers at 9:30 p.m.

“We’re expecting some steep competition and some interesting trades secrets to be revealed on Saturday as competitors strive to deliver the best rib eye steak,” said MVA Acting Managing Director Martin Duenas. “Come on down and watch our local cooks and chefs in action at another great night at ‘Taste.’”

At last Saturday’s (May 11) Oh My Grill (OMG) International Food Challenge, professional eater Sang Hyuk Kwon of Korea bested food fighter Sachiyo Masubuchi of Japan and local competitors in eating the most of two pounds of boneless BBQ chicken, two eight-ounce BBQ steaks, six pieces of BBQ pork spareribs, eight strips of BBQ pork belly, four BBQ hot links sausage, two pounds of red rice, two pounds of macaroni salad, two pounds of papaya coco. 

The HANMI-NMTech Pastry Chef Competition will be held on May 25. 

Taste of The Marianas is being every Saturday evening during May Marianas Tourism Month at American Memorial Park in the main tourist district of downtown Garapan. The festival features dishes from 29 local hotels and restaurants, live entertainment, food eating competitions, cooking contests, arts and crafts sales, and more.

Food and drink vendors accept credit/debit cards. Tokens are also accepted and may be purchased at the festival or the Marianas Visitors Authority office at 3366 Beach Road, Garapan, Saipan, from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays). Cash transactions with vendors is prohibited.

This year’s festival eateries include 38 Mitsubachi, Cup Bab Korean Restaurant, Ben-Ki, Yaya’s Baked Goods, CK Smokehouse and Salad, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Fork and Spoon, Great Harvest Bread Co., Herman’s Modern Bakery, Lanlan Tea House, Island Grindz, Java Joe’s, Kanto 10, Kinpachi, Loco & Taco, Tupu Cane Juice, New Matty’s BBQ, Oh My Grill, Surf Club, T-Bar, The Hut, Vi- Lyn’s BBQ, Saipan World Resort, Ever Trust 123 Food, Coral Ocean Resort Saipan (May 18 only), MARPAC, Napu Brewing, and WSTCO.

Festival Gold Sponsors are American Memorial Park, Bridge Capital LLC and Dave Electronics Center. Silver Sponsors are Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, EST Rental, IT&E, HANMI, Jonny’s Bar and Grill, M&C LLC, Lanlan Tea House, Subway, Coca-Cola, and Foremost.

For more information, contact MVA Community Projects Specialist Ray Villagomez at rvillagomez@mymarians.com or at 1.670.664.3200.