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Mike Sharlow incorporates ingredients from local beer breweries and coffee roasteries into his signature hot sauces. Sharlow, the founder of Syracha’cuse, brought his concoctions to the International Taste Festival for the first time Saturday, though he’s been in the area for about 12 years.

“We’ve got different flavors because everybody’s a little different with spice,” Sharlow said. “What’s hot to you may not be hot to me.”

On Saturday, the fourth annual International Taste Festival took place at the New York State Fairgrounds. Featuring food, crafts and live performances from five different world regions, the festival was a representation of the cultural diversity in the Syracuse community, organizer Stephanie Pestillo said.

While Syracuse has previously seen other cultural festivals, like the Irish and German festivals, Pestillo said this is the first to bring together all cultures.

“This allows other cultures to not only try different foods and unique things, but also grow their performances and entertainment,” Pestillo said.

The festival featured five regions from around the globe, including Foods of the Americas, Tastes of Europe, Asian Creations, Pan African Cuisine and Middle Eastern Treats. From hot sauces to coffee to eggrolls, each region displayed various foods and crafts.

While attendees roamed between stations purchasing menu items or trying $2 samples, performers charmed the crowd on stage, including a bagpipe band and African dancers.

Nura Zahran’s coffee business, “Brews & Bites,” was a first-timer at the festival. Having always loved coffee, she began to make it at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her friends and family urged her to start her own business. Since then, she’s created specialty drinks with traditional Middle Eastern flavors like pistachios, dates and baklava.

Both Sharlow and Zahran said the festival was an opportunity to not only share culture, but also garner exposure for their businesses.

The festival engages with food trucks, restaurants and other local businesses and organizations. Early in the morning, it hosted a 5k and 10k run around the fairgrounds, as well as a silent disco during the live performances. Solange Jain | Photo Editor

For returning vendors like Yum Yum Shack, the festival was a way to connect with the community and returning customers. Dia Copeland, whose father started Yum Yum Shack four years ago, said the family business has a mission to serve the community. The food truck features a blend of Asian and African cuisines, specializing in gourmet egg rolls with flavors like shrimp pad thai and barbecue chicken. Copeland hoped festival-goers would appreciate both the food and the hard work behind it.

“Everything is made with love, it’s a whole family ordeal,” Copeland said. “We go very hard to make sure everyone is satisfied.”

Ji Woo’s Korean Seoul Food, which offers gluten-free Korean food, was another local food truck that returned to the festival. Founder Lisa Roberts said she uses her mother’s recipes and transforms them to be gluten free and allergy friendly. Some of the food truck’s regulars visited the festival to support the business, Roberts said.

Aside from the culinary offerings, the festival also held 5k and 10k races around the fairgrounds and a silent disco.

The festival represented the diverse cultures within the Syracuse area. From Williams’ hand woven crafts to Copeland’s gourmet egg rolls, the annual event is a way for friends, families and curious individuals to come together and immerse themselves in international foods. Solange Jain | Photo Editor

Pestillo said the festival is about much more than just food — the organizers are continuously reimagining the festival and searching for new ways to get people involved, like through artisan craft companies.

Indian Imports sources woven crafts handmade by women in India to sell in the Syracuse community. Founder Sam William said this was the second time the business participated in the festival after opening up shop last March. Sharing the Indian culture he grew up in through crafts is a passion William said he can commit to outside his regular 9-to-5 job.

The CNY Latino newspaper has been involved with the festival since its inception. The media company produces newspapers, podcasts and radio shows highlighting Latino culture.

“Being the Latino component at any of these events is what’s important,” founder Marisol Hernandez said. “We bring our culture and are able to connect with the organizers, Latinos and other people.”

James Heckathorne, one of the members of The German American Society of Central New York, said the festival was a way to spread his German heritage and raise money for the nonprofit society. This was the group’s second year participating.

In a community like Syracuse, it’s crucial to represent the many cultures that make up the area, Pestillo said. From hand-woven crafts to fresh takes on gourmet egg rolls, the annual festival was a way for friends, families and curious people to immerse themselves in international traditions.

“For anyone new, I would say, open your mind, open your hearts and open your bellies to try something different,” Pestillo said.

Published on April 13, 2025 at 10:59 pm