South Florida is home to the highest concentration of Jewish people outside of Israel. This used to be true only seasonally, thanks to snowbirds, but now it is true year-round. Take that, New York!
So it is only fitting that South Florida should play host to a lavish Jewish food fest every year, and March 10, it will be time again for a good nosh.
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Nosh Fest IV: South Florida's Jewish Food Festival will be held Sunday, March 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City.
While Jewish cuisine is the draw, the true purpose of the festival is to feed the hungry -- and we don't mean the festival attendees.
Admission to this chosen festival is a donation of five nonperishable food items. From the first year, when more than 1,000 people attended, it has been an enormous success, with that number doubled last year.
That's a lot of food donations to the needy.
Donations will be distributed among Feeding South Florida of Pembroke Park, WECARE Food Pantry of Broward County, and Jewish Family Service of Broward County.
Because admission is technically free, the tastings each cost a small fee, including Lower East side Corned Beef Sandwich ($4), Romanian Pastrami Sandwich ($4), Gyro Pita Sandwich ($4), Israeli Falafel Nosh ($4), Mini-Stuffed Cabbage ($3), and Bubbies' Sweet & Sour Meatballs ($2).
All food will be purchased with tickets -- as they do at most festivals now -- and tickets can be purchased for a small discount ($20 for 25 tickets or $10 for 12 tickets) in advance of the festival at the synagogue's office.
In addition to the tastings, there will be a cooking competition, cooking demonstrations by the chefs of the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, two pie-eating contests, and performances by the South Florida Cloggers as well as Cantor Jan Sheer with the Temple Beth Emet Choir and Band.
To learn about becoming a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer, visit noshfest.org or call 954-680-1882.
Temple Beth Emet is located at 4807 S. Flamingo Road in Cooper City.
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