The Anaheim Packing District plans to continue its tradition of celebrating culinary diversity at its annual World Taste event on Aug. 11.
The international gathering gives ticket holders the chance to sample participating Packing District establishments. This year will feature bites and beverages with a Y2K theme from more than 20 participating vendors and guests are implored to arrive in their “finest and shiniest 2000s garb.”
As with last year, World Taste will coincide with the D23 Night Disney fan event at the Packing District.
“The event has grown over time, and last year was the first year we partnered with D23, and that allowed us to be available to a whole new set of fans,” said chef Shachi Mehra, owner of Indian street food restaurant Adya. “People come from all over for D23, and this is another thing they can do while they are here.”
Disney- and official fan club-sponsored activities are planned, including Y2K-themed tunes spun by DJ Clark Chuka, trivia and rounds of the trading card game Lorcana by Ravensburger.
Some of this year’s globally influenced bites include quesabirria tacos from Day of the Dead-inspired Mexican eatery Urbana; a mini Mediterranean bowl with choice of chicken shawarma, falafel or gyro from Mangal Mediterranean; and Bourrek Bastilla with honey lamb or lemon chicken from Moroccan-style lounge Marrakesh Restaurant.
Samosa chat from ADYA at the Anaheim Packing District.
(Courtesy of the Anaheim Packing District.)
Adya will reimagine a classic Spanish tapa with Indian flavors and Mehra’s own Shachi’s Spice Girl Sauces.
“We are doing a twist on patatas bravas, which is a Spanish dish with fried potatoes, spicy tomato sauce and aioli,” Mehra said.
Mehra said the Marathi word for “potatoes” in India‘s Maharashtra region is “batata,” phonetically similar to “patatas.” Adya’s batatas bravas are top fried and spiced with tomato chutney, spicy mayo and puffed rice. Shachi’s tomato chutney is just one of four flavors offered in her line of jarred and bottled sauces.
“We just relaunched and its an opportunity for me to get a bunch of people to taste it,” Mehra said.
Other long-time tenants will serve samples of popular dishes. Georgia’s soul food will feature a chicken slider with its signature cornmeal dredged fried chicken. The Kroft plans a pastrami slider on a King’s Hawaiian Roll.
New Packing House editions are also participating. Stone Groove Stillhouse is serving a an “Emperor’s Catch” blue corn tostada with Japanese yellowtail and a “Cacao Nib Pisco” beverage or mocktail.
The Kroft will serve pastrami sliders at the sixth annual World Taste of the Anaheim Packing District on Aug. 11.
“It’s a really fun evening where you get to try a bunch of different things, which is the way a lot of people go through the Packing House anyway,” Mehra said. “It gives you a taste of what we’re about.”
Tasting passports are $55.19 for seven tastes and $33.85 for four.
The Anaheim Packing District annual World Taste event will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Anaheim Packing District, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd. For tickets, visit anaheimpackingdistrict.com/worldtaste.