Efficiency, quality, and convenience are hallmarks of this year’s Lebanese Food Festival at Saint Anthony Church, May 17, 18 and 19.
In looking at past festivals – this is the thirty-ninth annual event – volunteers and parishioners considered event set-up, addressing long lines for food, parking, and menu choices, both in-person and online.
“We have reconfigured the booths, and we have moved cooking further away,” says Sandra Joseph Brown, a parishioner and volunteer.
Brown and her cohorts started preparing the food and planning in January. Volunteers hand-rolled and hand-folded more than 40,000 stuffed grape leaves, more than 40,000 handmade pastries, pies, and much, much more.
“We’ve increased everything by 10,000 because of adding online ordering and charge cards,” she says. “Accepting credit cards changed the game as far as expediting sales.”
The increase in food resulted in an additional freezer just to house the various pies – think spinach, spinach and feta, cheese, and meat.
Menu choices have also expanded. Look for new gluten-free items that include Lebanese potato salad made of chilled diced potatoes with parsley, onions, lemon juice, olive oil, and mint and kafta consisting of lean ground beef patties, parsley, onions, and Middle East spices.
Takeout and online ordering has also seen the addition of bulk items.
“Everything is al la carte,” says Brown. “You’ll find items starting at $4. This year, you can also purchase Lebanese wine and take it off premises if you like.”
The festival, as always, will feature music from the Mazloom family and youth dancing exhibitions where young dancers ages three to 28 will entertain the crowd throughout the day.
This year’s event will honor the Saint Anthony’s Boy Scout troop. Additionally, each day a portion of the proceeds will be donated to three organizations: Safe Harbor, Benedictine Schools of Richmond, and Feed More.
“We juried a lot of organizations and we felt that these where very worthwhile charities,” Brown says.
Even though the preparation takes months and the days of the festival are hectic, Brown and all of the other volunteers and parishioners enjoy all aspects of the event.
“It’s truly a labor of love and insanity,” Brown says.
Admission and parking for the event to the Lebanese Food Festival are free. A shuttle will also be provided. For more information on the Lebanese Food Festival and parking, visit lebanesefoodfestival.com online or on Facebook or on Instagram at lebanesefoodfest.
