October 8, 2016 marked the third annual Saratoga International Flavorfeast, celebrating the vast diversity of restaurants in the region. For $1 per sample-sized serving, visitors could try a variety of food while enjoying a glimpse of some of Saratoga’s most celebrated culinary gems. Skidmore students flocked to the event, enjoying three vouchers for three free servings at any booth, a solid student benefit that provided a successful incentive for students to visit multiple restaurants.
The festivities began in the heart of Saratoga, in the parking lot of the Saratoga Downtowner. Other restaurants set up their stalls across Broadway and on nearby Caroline and Phila Streets. Although this required a bit of additional legwork, it encouraged people to explore beyond what was available on Broadway. It seemed like a bit of a hassle, but the cuisine made the walk worth it.
In the Flavorfeast, what you got was more than what you paid for. Prestwick Chase at Saratoga offered customers pumpkin, apple, or cranberry muffins with cayenne butternut and acorn squash bisque and for only one dollar, a customer could get a large muffin with the bisque served on top. It was a delicious combination of fall flavors that surpassed the dollar it cost.
Skidmore College had their own booth at the Downtowner as well, serving smoked pork carnitas on a grilled tortilla with a mango pico de gallo served in an eco-friendly bamboo boat. The pork was filling and the addition of the mango added some quality freshness. Skidmore has been listed as a sponsor of the festivities for years, but this is the first time they served food at the event.
Saratoga International Flavorfeast ws an excellent opportunity to sample some of the unique eats that each participating restaurant had to offer. Besides just its culinary merits, it was also a celebration of the growing diversity in the region.