It was a battle of the tastebuds on Saturday.
Hundreds of community members gathered for the annual Taste of Federal Way food festival, presented by the Federal Way Farmers Market on Sept. 28.
Nine Federal Way restaurants teamed up with local nonprofits for the event, which sold more than 800 tickets, to provide trademark dishes.
Culinary delights included tastes of Black Bear Diner, Chick-fil-A, Mediterranean Gyro Grill, East India Grill, Puerto Vallarta Twin Lakes, Mama Stortini’s Federal Way, The RAM Restaurant and Brewery, Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse and K.C. Deez BBQ.
After tough deliberation and many mouthfuls, judges selected the top dishes.
Puerto Vallarta’s Arroz con Pollo took home third place; East India Grill’s vegetable Korma over rice placed second, and Mediterranean Gyro Grill won first place. The RAM Restaurant and Brewery was awarded as the best decorated booth.
As for the People’s Choice in Best Taste, East India Grill was the first place crowd pleaser.
The third annual Dick Mayer Community Award was also presented at Saturday’s event to Betty Taylor for her heart, advocacy and unfailing commitment to better the local community.
Federal Way’s Lost and Found band provided groovy tunes and entertainment included performances by Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin and Evergreen City Ballet.
A steady line of hungry community members wait to pick up a sample from each restaurant booth at the Taste of Federal Way on Sept 28. Olivia Sullivan/staff photos
Taste of Federal Way judge Jan Novak takes a bite of her first sample dish at Saturday’s event.
Mediterranean Gyro Grill took home a first place win in the Judge’s Choice.
Dancers from Evergreen City Ballet perform at the Taste on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Live entertainment included performances by Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin.
Hundreds of Federal Wayans gathered at the Saturday event, presented by the Federal Way Farmer’s Market.
East India Grill won first place in the People’s Choice for Best Taste category.
Betty Taylor, center in green, was given the third annual Dick Mayer Community Award. Taylor is pictured with Do the Right Thing nonprofit founder Cheryl Hurst, in red, and members of Dick Mayer’s family.
Betty Taylor bursts into tears as she is presented with the Dick Mayer Community Award.
A Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse cook prepares the restaurant’s sampler dish for the Taste of Federal Way.
Mediterranean Gyro Grill took home a first place win in the Judges Choice.
Puerto Vallarta Twin Lakes took home third place in the Judges Choice category.
The RAM Restaurant and Brewery won the Best Decorated Booth award.
