By Travis Barton | [email protected] 

If you were hungry and went to the Wasatch International Food Festival on Aug. 10-11, not only was your appetite filled, you may have even gained a few pounds too. 

The Utah Cultural Celebration Center played host to a festival where attendees could sample cuisine from around the world, watch demonstrations from local chefs, check out all sorts of artistic activities, and play tailgating games like corn hole and polish horseshoes. All while listening to live music.

“This was a perfect date night,” said Salt Lake City resident Whitney Berger. “We tasted practically everything here and got to see them make food too. Though I probably ate too much.” 

With countless aromas in the air, food trucks and booths included: Papito Moe’s Puerto Rican Grub, Jamaica’s Kitchen, Tacos Brazil, Cupbop, The Green Urban Lunchbox, Kona Ice, Asadero Rio Sonora Mexican, San Diablo Artisan Churros, Lulu’s Italian Ice, Namash Swahili Cuisine, Café India SLC, UMU Polynesian Catering, Mama Africa, Huckleberry Grill, Curry Pizza, La Rainta and Kafe Mamai. 

The festival offered a $20 tasty ticket which included a stainless steel cup, drink voucher and access to a “secret menu.” All cups were sold out within the first 30 minutes it opened.

Foodies could eat a Brazilian coxinha (shredded meat inside a fried, breaded and battered dough), a gelati (Italian ice sandwiched in the cup by custard) or a samosa (savory pastries often stuffed with lamb and spices). 

“You could literally taste the world,” Berger said. 

The weekend featured six chef demonstrations from Jim’s Jar-Top Fermentor’s kimchi, Papito Moe’s Puerto Rican Grub mofongo, Utah State University Extension Kids Can Cook Program, Mama Africa’s samosas, Huckleberry Grill presenting five food tastes and presentation, and Kafe Mamai’s chicken skewers.