VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The first-ever "Flavor of Ube Market" was held at Operation Smile in Virginia Beach on Saturday. At the market, hundreds got together and shared their love of ube, all while benefiting those in need.
There were over 30 vendors selling items related to this Filipino gem, including, ube brownies, ube candles and ube-inspired artwork and accessories.
You might be asking yourself: "What's ube?" Don't worry, the event coordinators offered a helpful explanation.
"Ube is purple yam. It's also synonymous to a sweet potato. The flavor of ube is basically like vanilla, but so much more, so much depth, brightness and texture to it," explained Erene Henninger, the event coordinator for Mabuhay Fest 757.
Mabuhay Fest 757, the group that organized the ube market, said the event aimed to bring the community together to enjoy ube - a huge staple in the Filipino community.
The market included an ube contest and a silent auction. Proceeds from the auction went to Operation Smile, a nonprofit that has provided essential surgeries and health care to the Philippines, including cleft surgery.
Organizers hope to continue events like these to share Filipino culture with everyone in the community.
Operation Smile will be holding another event on Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. An event organizer told us 40 vendors - representing science, technology, engineering, arts and math - will be onsite. There will be lots of fun things for families and kids to do and lots of great food, organizers added.
For more info on the upcoming event, click here.
