Taste of Federal Way returns Sept. 28

Annual event raises money for local nonprofits who partner with each restaurant.

By Keelin Everly-Lang • September 22, 2024 7:30 am
Guests voted for their favorite restaurant at The Taste of Federal Way in this photo from the 2023 event. The event concludes with awards given by judges as well as for People’s Choice, based on votes dropped in these boxes throughout the day. File photo
Guests voted for their favorite restaurant at The Taste of Federal Way in this photo from the 2023 event. The event concludes with awards given by judges as well as for People’s Choice, based on votes dropped in these boxes throughout the day. File photo

The Taste of Federal Way is back and ready to play ball with this year’s theme of “All Sports Round Up.”

From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28, head to the Commons Mall back parking lot at South 324th Street and Pacific Highway to get a “taste” of the city.

Guests should purchase tickets ahead of time if possible from one of the local nonprofits who are teaming up with the competing restaurants to sell tickets and raise money for good causes. Tickets are $25 and include a combined feast of savory flavors and sweet desserts from a variety of cuisines in Federal Way.

The delectable dishes will be judged by local leaders and by each guest who will get the chance to drop their vote after enjoying a taste from each of the nine restaurants.

Guests are encouraged to wear a sports jersey to have fun with the sporty theme. Live entertainment raffles will add to the fun. In addition to competing with their dishes, each restaurant also competes to decorate their booth the best so look out for their creativity with the theme.

The event is created and hosted by the Federal Way Farmers Market and is meant to highlight and celebrate local restaurants and also raise money for the local nonprofits who partner with each restaurant. For each ticket sale, the nonprofit organization gets to keep half of the money of the sale to put toward their programming.

This is the sixth year of the event, and last year’s version saw the event’s biggest turnout yet with “close to 1,000” guests, according to Rose Ehl of the Federal Way Farmers Market.

This year’s nonprofit and restaurant partnerships are:

• Mama Stortini’s / Do the Right Thing

• Poverty Bay Cafe by FUSION / FUSION

• Puerto Vallarta Mexican / Ted Colby for St. Vincent De Paul Parish School

• Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse / Rotary Club of Federal Way

• Black Bear Diner / FW Warriors Athletics

• Swagg-N-Wagon / Federal Way Knights Basketball

• East India Grill / Valley Cities Counseling and Behavioral Center

• K.C. Deez BBQ / Federal Way Knights Softball

• Sub-Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream / Federal Way Farmers Market

For more information, visit www.federalwayfarmersmarket.com