The 15th annual Taste of Newark food festival will be held from noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 30, on the lawn of the University of Delaware’s Old College in Newark.

Taste of Newark guests can enjoy culinary delights from 50 Newark restaurants accompanied by the wares of the area’s finest vineyards and breweries. Tickets are on sale now.

"Taste of Newark has been a longstanding tradition downtown for those who are interested in sampling the best our city has to offer," said Newark Mayor Polly Seirer. "People from throughout the region come to enjoy great food and drinks while connecting with friends or meeting new people. It's a recipe for a wonderful afternoon in Newark."

The Taste of Newark festival features art and auctions on the lawn of UD’s Old College.

The event will feature new breweries and distributors, including Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, and Iron Hill Brewery.

Attendees will also learn tips on how to be a chef in their own kitchens. Ronnie Burkle of SoDel Concepts will be leading a cooking demonstration featuring wine pairings from Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits.

The annual event features more than just food and drink. Guests can bid on dozens of items during a silent auction hosted by the Newark Arts Alliance.

“We’re looking forward to another great silent auction, with fun gift packages from Delaware businesses and beautiful works of art created by local artists,” said Newark Arts Alliance executive director Linda Majewski. “The NAA has been a vibrant part of the arts scene in our community for 25 years. Proceeds from the auction will allow us to continue offering opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in the arts.”

Dozens of students from UD’s hospitality program learn hands-on event planning and management skills at the Taste of Newark festival every year.

"The Taste of Newark is a fantastic collaborative event that gives our hospitality business management students real-life learning experience while also highlighting the great products Newark's small businesses have to offer,” said Jeff Garland, vice president and University secretary at UD. “It is a perfect example of the way that rewarding experiences can be created for all of us when we work together."

The Taste of Newark supports the students in the Department of Hospitality Business Management, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, the Downtown Newark Partnership and the Newark Arts Alliance.  

Tickets can be purchased online and are $50 each if purchased before the event or $60 at the door. They are limited and are expected to sell out quickly.