The second edition of the Savaneta Food Festival took place on Sunday, bringing together vendors offering a variety of traditional local dishes, including seafood. Several vendors participated in the festival for the first time, introducing visitors to seafood dishes prepared within their families.
Norman Thijsen, president of ‘Fundacion Savaneta Prome Capital’, said the organization is extremely happy and proud to have successfully held the second edition of the festival.
“Last year, we started with a concept, a pilot, and it was very well received. It reflects the identity of the Savaneta community. We are a fishing community, a neighborhood by the sea,” Thijsen said.
The festival offers an authentic Aruban experience by focusing specifically on seafood and dishes made with products from the sea. Thijsen said the large turnout shows how much people enjoy seafood, which is very popular in Aruba.
The event features different vendors offering a variety of food and drinks. It also brings the community together while highlighting local products and home-based vendors.
“One thing I often emphasize in interviews is that many of our vendors are not vendors you find at every festival,” Thijsen said.
Many of the participants are people who prepare and sell food within their families. Representatives of the foundation know that these vendors make delicious food, and when they discover someone preparing good dishes, they invite them to participate in the festival.
Some vendors are taking part for the first time and are presenting their seafood dishes to the public for the first time.
Thijsen said this is one of the things that makes the festival unique, as visitors have the opportunity to taste dishes that are not normally available on the market.
The festival also coincides with a fishing tournament taking place around the same time. Fishermen bring in their catch, which can then be prepared and served as part of the festival’s food and wine experience.
“We prepared this with that in mind. I mean, you can have a catch of the day, arrive that same day, and that is something unique,” Thijsen said.
