Missoula's 2009 International Food Festival Was a Real Hit (3/16/2009)

Members of the Missoula Thai community sell traditional Thai curries

Sunday was the yearly International Food Festival held at the University of Montana UC Center. I've been going since I was in high school, and have always enjoyed the food, entertainment and rich diversity of people.

It may just be me but it seems like the serving sizes are getting bigger and the prices are getting higher. The average dish cost around $5, with a serving about the size I normally eat for lunch. I supposed that most people wouldn't mind, but it seemed to defeat the purpose of the event.

I like to "sample" as many types of food I can, trying this and that. It's how I was introduced to good Indian food, which eventually led me to the now closed Tipu's Tiger. I think I had my first sushi at the 1992 festival, which started an addiction to Asian food.

Some local restaurants, like Sa Wad Dee, sponsor foreign students by setting up a traditional food booth. Missoula's close-knit Thai community all pitch in and either serve food, sell traditional Thai crafts, or provide entertainment during the all day event.

Though I didn't watch much of the entertainment this year, it did look like a wonderful show. I saw several dancers, and someone playing an awesome guitar.

I tried some Cinnamon Curry from Sri Lanka, some Goulash and Red Cabbage from Germany, and some Pineapple Curry from Thailand. All of them were great, and only make me wish the food festival happened several times a year.

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