Dream Meals at the 2022 World Food & Music Festival

The World Food & Music Festival team has shared their dream meals for The Festival to give you an idea of the diverse menu items that will be available at the event when it takes place Sept. 16 – 18 in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). Find out what these Greater Des Moines Partnership staff members are most excited about tasting in 2022:

• Amelia Klatt, Special Events and Project Manager
• Molly Atkins, Events Specialist
• Jerrica Marshall, Downtown Placemaking Manager
• Megan Renkel, Downtown Farmers’ Market Manager
• Emma Nutter, Downtown Event Intern

Entrée

Amelia: Nashville Hot Chicken Strips from G.G.’s Chicken & Waffles and Chilaquiles from Sabores de Mexico (American/Mexican)
Molly: Lamb Gyro from Yanni’s (Greek)
Jerrica: Ramen Birria from Nina’s Tacos (Mexican)
Megan: Spinach Pita from Papillion (Bosnian)
Emma: Butter Chicken Platter from Lyela’s Kitchen (Pakistani)

Sides

Amelia: Gyro Fries from Greek Flame Foods (Greek)
Molly: Chicken & Sausage Gumbo from Cajun Belle (American)
Jerrica: Jamaican Beef Patties from Caribbean Kitchen (Jamaican)
Megan: Grilled sweet corn on the cob basted on spicy sweet sauce from Indonesian Cuisine (Indonesian)
Emma: Crab Rangoon from Cambodian Beef Stick (Cambodian)

Samples

Amelia: Fried Plantain from Jambo African Cuisine (Tanzanian)
Molly: Pulled Pork from Leachman Pit Stop BBQ (American)
Jerrica: Shumai from the 2021 Fan Favorite Filipino Store (Filipino)
Megan: Jerk String beans from Lady Jerk Soul Food (Jamaican)
Emma: Pot Stickies from the Dumpling House (Chinese)

Drink

Amelia: Jones’s Sweet Tea from Keepin’ Up with the Jones’s or Exile Vodka Soda at the Festival Front Porch!
Molly: Kronenbourg 1664 – Lager from France & Paulaner Octoberfest from Germany
Jerrica: Fresh Squeezed Lemonade from Sugar Daddy’s Lemonade with the souvenir cup. Because — why not? Aperol Spritz on the Festival Front Porch
Megan: Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada IN A PINEAPPLE from Puerco Loco & Caribbean Style Pina Colada
Emma: Non-alcoholic: Brown Sugar Milk Drink from Boba Tea 168 (Thai); Alcoholic: Grapefruit Radler

Dessert

Amelia: Cookies from Ciecie’s Sweet Treats (American)
Molly: Vanilla Strawberry Cupcake from Always Baked—Sweets & Treats (Bosnian)
Jerrica: Banana Wafer Pie from Nisha’s Soul Food (American)
Megan: Italian Gelato from Chocolaterie Stam (Dutch)
Emma: Strawberry and Whipped Cream Crepe from Crème de la Crêpe (French)

Make plans to attend The Festival in 2022 and visit diverse food vendors for authentic eats and treats in Downtown DSM. Specialty drink selections will be available at The Festival Front Porch. Don’t miss out on the chance to create your own dream menu this month. You can view the schedule for the Main Stage presented by Prairie Meadows, the Cultural Stage presented by Principal®, the Cultural Activity Pavilion presented by Global Atlantic Financial Group and Dotdash Meredith Culinary Discovery Pavilion ahead of your visit, too.

Western Gateway in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is home to the World Food & Music Festival, where diverse cuisine, live music, cooking demonstrations and other performances offer a place to experience culture every September.