Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) is pleased to announce the 2 nd Annual Laramie International Flavor Festival at participating restaurants and venues throughout downtown Laramie April 4-8, 2023.

This year’s festival will feature menu items inspired by stories. All Laramie community members, including international students and scholars, are encouraged to submit up to 250 Words of Flavor describing how food connects them to their heritage. There is no minimum word count.

Top story submissions, selected by an eight-member festival jury, will be chosen to receive gift certificates to the event. Restaurants will feature internationally inspired specials from flavors extracted from these stories. To submit a story, visit: https://laramiemainstreet.org/international-flavor-festival , or scan the QR code below. Stories must be submitted by February 12 to qualify for the contest.

“Everybody has a story. Often, it’s foods that connect us to our heritage, memories, and traditions. What better place to start a conversation about heritage than at the table? Whether it’s schnitzel, frybread, dumplings, paella, biscotti, or rice and beans, the idea is to connect the Laramie community through the sharing of these stories and celebration of heritage,” says Laramie International Flavor Festival Co-Chair Ali Grossman.

Laramie Main Street Alliance partners with University of Wyoming International Students and Scholars to encourage the participation of the international community.

“What could be more exciting than discovering new foods and, along with them, new cultures and maybe even some new neighbors?” says Dr. Isadora A. Helfgott, VP for UW Global Engagement, “The Laramie International Flavor Festival brings so many opportunities for discovery and for making new connections across cultures and we’re thrilled to partner with the Laramie Main Street Alliance to highlight the rich diversity of our community.”

“We had a great time last year, collaborating with a Pierette Planche, to offer a French menu.” says Kerri Smith, co- owner of Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria. “Pierrette taught us to make crepes and to say “c’est bon” at the completion, which means “it’s good”. “

In last year’s festival, 20 participating downtown restaurants featured menu items with flavors inspired by over 80 international community members from over 40 nations. These specials appeared on their menus throughout the week.

“We feel that this event has such a positive impact on our local community, including our chefs and restaurants,” says Kerri Smith. “Alibi was given the opportunity to participate in the Taste of Colorado in Vail this year, but it overlaps with the Laramie International Flavor Festival so we’ve made the decision to stay here, support Main Street, and represent new cultures and flavors this year.”

Festival Co-chair Deb Ross adds, “The 2023 festival will offer even more opportunities to meet our neighbors and share culture through stories, flavors, and demonstrations.“ The festival will conclude with an international showcase and community conversations, sponsored by the University of Wyoming Center for Global Studies.