Folks in Bethel were treated to exquisitely delicious worldwide cuisine at the 3rd Annual Taste of Bethel event, a fun and social time to sample different kinds of food from other countries and regions.
Let’s not forget how good it was and can we have more please.
There was something for everyone at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on November 11th, 2023. Folks in Bethel enjoyed worldwide food delights in portions and samplers while socializing and eating together. The event was sponsored by the SouthWest Alaska Arts Group (SWAAG).
There was Lady Lailtrice’s soul food – black eyed peas, baked and fried chicken, seafood gumbo, candied yams, peach cobbler, and mac and cheese representing North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
The Filipino menu included pork adobo, pancit bihon, lumpias, and a pumpkin maja blanca. Other booths offered Nashville Hot Chicken, Korean Gimbap rolls and dark chocolate steak curry, Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food representing the East Coast – chipped beef, philly cheesesteak sliders, pickled red beet eggs, baked corn pudding, and pineapple bread pudding. There was more such as the bunuelos from Guatamala and Poland’s split pea and sauerkraut, gotabki, and kielbasa. There was also Polish potato pierogis and pork/chicken gumbo. You could eat chocobananos at the table from El Salvador and other treats.
Israel cuisine was represented by a hummus and lebaneh (yogurt cheese) and pita bread dish drizzled with olive oil. There was also local fare – a delicious tundra blueberry upside down cake. Served also were Eccentric Fresh Rolls, Dill Pickle Soup, lamb curry and boba cheesecake.
“It was amazing, there was so many people and different varieties of food – we really enjoyed it,” said Bethelite Julie Ellis. This was her first Taste of Bethel experience. She said that her fave was the Israeli hummus and pita bread. “That was my favorite.”
Tickets were $5 each and a portion of the proceeds went to supporting the Bethel Food Bank and Pantry.
“What an amazing cross section of culinary delights at the Taste of Bethel today,” wrote SWAAG. “Thank you to each and every chef who shared their favorite dishes with the community!”
Quyana to the organizers of this tasty yearly event, we are hungry for the next one!
