Taste of Serbia Festival to introduce food, culture to community

St. Basil of Ostrog Serbian Orthodox Church in Lake Forest-Mettawa will host its annual Taste of Serbia Festival from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2.

The goal of the event is to introduce the community to Serbian food and culture. To that end, traditional Serbian cuisine, music, and beverages will be featured.

Guests can enjoy music and kolo dancing throughout the event. Saturday entertainment will include tambura music by Prazna Flaša from 1-6 p.m. Sunday's entertainment will feature Orkestar Skadarlija from 1-6 p.m. Both days will include a presentation titled “Orthodoxy — a way of life” by Father Djuro Krosnjar in the church at 2:30 p.m. and Serbian music by Šumadija from 6-11 p.m. in the main tent, as well as a history and culture slideshow ongoing in the church.

Food will include entrees like slowly-roasted pork and lamb, chevapchice (chargrilled ground beef and pork sausages), shish kebab pork skewers and pleskavica (a spicy beef and pork patty with peppers and onions). Other treats will include traditional stuffed cabbage rolls, palachinka (crepes), pitas (cheese, meat, and apple strudel), and pastries like krem pita (pure whipped cream and vanilla custard), baklava and tortes. Beverages available will include iced Serbian chocolate coffee, American and Serbian beers and wines, and Slivovitz Serbian plum brandy.

Indoor and outdoor seating will be available.

There will be activities for all ages, including a children's play area with inflatables and games.

Guests can also shop from several specialty vendors or stop by the church bookstore for music, books, jewelry or icons.

St. Basil of Ostrog Serbian Orthodox Church is at 27450 N Bradley Road, Mettawa.

For more information, visit tasteofserbia.org.