Smiles were wide as many patrons lined up to purchase tickets as food vendors only accepted festival tickets for payment.

There was probably something for everyone as patrons had their choices from a variety of items including vegetarian spring rolls, potato pancakes, quiche, wraps, ice cream, gelato, sorbet, chicken wings, curly fries, hot dogs, dumplings, noodles, beef on weck, soup, shawarma, falafel, and hummus. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages also were available.

Sue Fitzer, of Portsmouth, Ohio, was enjoying her regular week-long stay at Chautauqua Institution. An assortment of foods and beverages caught Fitzer’s eye as she was getting ready to eat her favorite — chicken wings. Even though she favors wings, Fitzer was going to check out all of the vendors.

“This is my 10th year here,” Fitzer said.

Patrons gather Monday at Bestor Plaza during the Chautauqua Food Festival. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Maxine Malone, also of Portsmouth, Ohio was walking through the plaza to see the different foods and vendors and said she had not decided on what to eat.

“I am enjoying everything that is going on,” Malone said.

At the festival there were vendors, retail vendors, and food trucks available. The vendors included Yakisoba’s, Om Nohm Bakery and Cafe, Travelers Kitchen, Lumi Cafe, and Hog Wild BBQ. The retail vendors included BioDome Project, The Grape Discovery Center, Dark Forest Chocolate, Cutco Cutler, Johnson Estate Winery, Ellicottville Distillery, Anthenaeum Hotel Beverage Tent and Lounge, and Maza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Brewing. The food trucks included The Best of Buffalo by Byron, Tabouli Street-Eatz, Sweet Melody’s Gelato, and Moneybags Dumplings.

There are also a festival chef tasting series where chefs Darian Bryan, Bruce Stanton, Ben Shropshire, and Dan Wongprapan prepare five-course dinners at the Anthenaeum Hotel.

“We have such a rich food and beverage culture and tradition in Western New York and here locally in Chautauqua County, it was an easy decision to launch this festival in 2017. It has been wildly popular and a wonderful way to bring a vibrant close to our Summer Assembly each year,” said Vanessa Weinert, senior director of marketing and analytics and food festival coordinator.

With the festival ending Friday, hours are noon to 8 p.m. with some vendors taking a break from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information visit foodfestival.chq.org.