Over the River for 'International Flavour'

In an effort to capitalize on the broad success of a number of recent food-centric events, Red Bank is adding a springtime culinary showcase to its roster dubbed International Flavour Festival.

Similar to last fall's second annual Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival, an event that drew more than 10,000 people downtown, the International Flavour event will be held outdoors in the White Street parking lot and will feature dozens of Red Bank restaurants offering specialty dishes.

The event will also include two separate music stages as well as two tents dedicated to dispensing beer and wine to parched attendees.

Recently, Red Bank, along with the downtown's marketing arm, Red Bank RiverCenter, has made a concerted effort to highlight what may be the borough's most tempting draw: its restaurants. Not only had RiverCenter redoubled efforts to host food events, like the oyster festival, but it joined forces with Flavour, a consortium of local restaurants, to make food a focus.

In the last year alone, Red Bank has played host to several events, including the oyster festival, Broadway in Red Bank, RiverFest, and Holiday Flavour.

George Lyristis, co-owner of the Bistro at Red Bank and Teak and founder of Flavour, said the Flavour campaign was born out of a vision he had to not only market the borough's restaurants but to encourage and develop a camaraderie among restaurant owners. So far, it appears to be working. The events have drawn tens of thousands of people to the borough.

The International Flavour Festival is scheduled for Sunday May 6, 12 to 7 p.m. in the White Street Parking lot. Admission is $5 with proceeds going to RiverCenter and the Red Bank Regional Buccaneer Athletic Foundation. The event will be held rain or shine.