📸: @govegandotnet 

When you walk into the Cook Street Village Food Court the first thing you might notice is the delicious aroma of cooking, which instantly makes your tummy rumble. Located in the heart of Cook Street Village, it is the site of a new Multicultural Food Festival this Saturday from 11am to 8pm.

The event at 1109 McKenzie St. is being hosted by four businesses—Macondo, Mexican Village, Messob Ethiopian Cuisine, and Churros and Mor.

This family-friendly event will be complete with tasty food, live music, and activities for kids. This is the first time that the four restaurants are hosting an event like this.

Macondo is the only Colombian restaurant in Victoria and is the latest addition to the food court, having opened its business there three months ago. It will be serving up arepas, bowls, and Colombian coffee.

Mexican Village will be serving up authentic Mexican cooking like its enchiladas, tortilla soup, and tacos. It is also offering kid-friendly quesadillas and burritos.

Messob Ethiopian Cuisine has been a staple of the food court since it opened two decades ago. It is offering both vegetarian and meat wot served on injera—a spongy flatbread. It will also be available in beef, chicken, or vegetarian combination plates.

Located around the corner from the food court is Churros and Mor, a food truck serving plant-based and gluten-free churros, available traditionally, in bite sized form, or with vegan ice cream.

“The idea is to try to connect the community with the food court,” said Viani Valencia, who works at Macondo and has been organizing the event. “It is to try to bring more people and show our area, to bring more energy and happiness to this place.”

These festivities will include live music from Bill Music and Surtido Rico Latin Band as well as dancing from Danza Colombia Group—which will perform three styles of traditional dance.

“The music is important for us, very important,” Valencia said.

The back patio will also host kids activities including a piñata, local crafts, and cookie decorating.

Valencia aims for the restaurants to host more events like this one in the future.

Multicultural Food Festival

Address: 1109 McKenzie St., Victoria
Hours: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 11am to 8pm