Empanada Fest is coming to the Granary Live with global flavors

• It'll feature a Fisher Beer garden, live performances and, for the first time, an eating contest.
• More than a dozen vendors will serve the flavors of Argentina, Jamaica, Peru, Thailand, Venezuela and beyond. And a three-judge panel will crown the festival's best empanada.

The event is meant to celebrate international cuisines and support small businesses, said Valdemoros, a former Salt Lake City Council member and owner of Argentina's Best Empanadas.

Catch up quick: The idea for the festival dates back to 2021, when the incubator kitchen Valdemoros co-founded began selling boxes of empanadas during the pandemic.

• An initial release of 100 boxes sold out in a day, and Valdemoros realized there was high demand for the stuffed pastry.

The bottom line: A version of the empanada — whether you call it a turnover or pastry pocket — shows up in cuisines around the world.

• It's a reminder that while every culture is distinct, we're connected by shared traditions.

Stop by: Empanada Fest will run 11am-10pm on April 18.