Savor Fest PNW

For the 198th week of "7 QUESTION SUNDAY" we shine the spotlight on another influential individual from the PNW. Savor Fest PNW is a multicultural food festival in Tacoma, WA.

4EVRGRN: Hey, SFP! Tell us a little about yourselves.

SFP: Savor Fest PNW is a multicultural food festival featuring local vendors serving the PNW’s favorite cuisines and deserts founded by Chef Lydia of Little Miss Sweets NYC. 2023 is our third annual event and we are excited to keep growing and bring food from different cultures to one spot to celebrate each other and support small businesses.

How did Savor Fest start?

SFP: Savor Fest started from an idea to change the Seattle/Tacoma food scene and a desire to create an inclusive space for Chefs and Food based businesses to share their cultural pride. I saw that businesses were doing popups/markets/events, but it seemed like a free for all without any focus on showcasing the best and most authentic cuisines. It was the same old, same old, lacking flavor and wonder/excitement. Coming from NYC, I’m used to everyone putting their all into their dishes and enjoying foods from all over the place. Despite the beautiful diversity here, I just wasn’t seeing that here, at least not in one location where people could just gather and really appreciate it.

Why is food such a great way to share cultures?

SFP: I think food is the ultimate way to share cultures. You’re not only sharing your love for who you are and where you come from but you’re giving an intimate experience of the ingredients, flavors and cooking/baking styles that are specific to that culture. You allow people to reminisce about the cuisines they grew up with and others to learn and try something new, exploring a new world of tasty possibilities.

What can people expect from Savor Fest?

SFP: People can expect culture, flavor, and a whole lot of love from those participating. We’ve got an amazing lineup including cuisines from multiple Caribbean countries like Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Jamaica, the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, Hawaii and more! We've got vendors coming all the way from Olympia and Portland to join us!

How can people sign up as vendors?

SFP: Vendors can click the link in our bio on Instagram @Savorfestpnw to sign up.  We do have a lot of amazing vendors but are welcome to a few more. 

What makes Savor Fest different from other food events?

SFP: I'm proud to say that this year majority of our vendors are BIPOC women owned businesses! Savor Fest PNW's mission is to promote cultural diversity and inclusion through creating an authentic and immersive cultural experience. We celebrate all cultures with a focus on BIPOC Chefs and Food based businesses who call the PNW home. We are serious about the authenticity of vendors. It's an opportunity to share flavors in their purest and most creative form. If your Grandma's Grandma wouldn't eat it, then it aint it.(We wanna know that if your Grandma's grandma would eat it, then it's the gotta be the real deal.) (Use whichever makes sense, I know some people think it's crass but that's how I grew up.) ... 

Should people bring cash or how can they pay vendors?

SFP: All vendors can accept cash or cards, while some may also accept Venmo.

Are there other things to do besides food vendors?

SFP: We’ll have a DJ taking attendees on a tour of music from around the world as well as multicultural performance groups adding even more life to the party! We're happy to announce that we've partnered with local Latina Owned business, "Magic in the PNW" for the 3rd time. They'll be bringing everyone's favorite Princesses and other awesome characters to join the fun!

Join this year’s Savor Fest PNW on July 16, 2023 at the Waterfront Market at Ruston!

Follow for more details and future events www.instagram.com/savorfestpnw