After being postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Taste Festival made its debut at the New York State Fairgrounds in the Expo Center. 

“My job is very simple, that’s why I’m here,” said Joe Pucello, the part-owner of Al Dente’s of Shop City Plaza. “They gave me the easiest job and said stay out of the way.” 

“[I’m] very happy to be invited [and] glad we can do it,” Pucello said. “It’s nice to be a part of something new, especially in the Syracuse area.” 

Being that the event is in its first year, it can be challenging for vendors to plan for how much food to prepare.

“It’s really hectic because I ordered up until almost the last day, and then you’re still ordering,” said John H. Giles Sr., owner of Johnny Gee’s BBQ and Catering Services. So I got food waiting to be cooked and I got food cooked and just waiting for somebody to come and get it.”

Giles Sr. owns a trailer restaurant on the corner of South Crouse Avenue and East Fayette Street. For mobile restaurants like Johnny Gee’s, vendors look forward to these types of events to share their food.

“I was looking forward to doing it last year,” said Kevin Henry Sr., owner and operator of Henry’s Hen House. “Unfortunately, the pandemic and everything didn’t allow us to do it. But I couldn’t wait to do this. This is a nice, beautiful event inside. We don’t have to worry about the weather or anything. In here, everything is great.”  

Henry’s Hen House is another mobile restaurant and has been in business for the last 16 years. Henry Sr. says he hopes to open a Hen House after he retires.

"We just thought of Central New York community and the members and the community that’s here,” event organizer Stephanie Pestillo said. “And we wanted to have a festival for everyone that included all groups of people that everyone could come together at one location."

If you have a love for food from around the world, it’s still not too late to get a taste.

The event continues Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m.