Arts Council Oklahoma City Holds 'Food Jury' Ahead Of Annual Festival

Every April, Arts Council Oklahoma City holds the Festival of the Arts, an event filled with performances as well as visual and culinary creations. 

Around five months ahead of the event, the council meets to decide what will be on the menu. 

The process is called ‘food jury.’ Phi Nguyen, with the arts council, said all of the food vendors have to apply and go through the process so the council can get to know them and what they are serving. 

“It allows us to have people return who've been fan favorites in the past, but also open it up to the community and try some new food,” Nguyen said. 

Nguyen said this year, they have 45 different vendors that are vying for one of the 25 booth and cart spots. 

She said that vendors can win one year, but they still have to participate in the food jury the next year.

“Brandon and his team at Lucky Lucky Dumpling, who won Best in Show last year, and they're back in this process, they're here to prove that they want to be a part of the festival this upcoming year,” Nguyen said. 

Nguyen says they make sure there are many different cuisines represented at the festival. 

“We try to feature different cuisines that's inclusive for everybody and especially within the past few years have options for vegetarian and vegan and gluten-free,” Nguyen said. 

The event is happening will be from April 25 to April 28, 2024. 

“We're going to have four fun-filled, delicious days,” Nguyen said. “The food is always one of the best parts; come eat the food and come buy the art,” 

For more information on the Festival of the Arts, click here.