LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A lot of prep work goes into making Middle Eastern delicacies like grapeleaves and baklava. Members of Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in Wilkes-Barre know exactly what they're doing.
Members are preparing for the church's 5th annual Middle Eastern Food Festival on Saturday. It's a big fundraiser for the church. On the menu are homemade Middle Eastern favorites like Kibbee, hummus, tabouli, grape leaves, and baklava.
"We've had many, many, many women of the church pass down their recipes and we've kind-of had to consolidate because the Middle Eastern culture everyone does a little bit different," Alyssa Fort said.
And there's more on the menu besides the food.
"This year we have vendors, local dance troupes and musicians and Wilkes Barre City flu clinic," Fort said.
The event will be both dine-in and take-out.
"There will be tables to sit. There's also beverages of all sorts, so if you're hanging out for the whole day, feel free to stay, have a drink, eat in, check out the local dance troupes and musicians," Fort said.
The Middle Eastern Food Festival is tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Saint Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church on South Main Street in Wilkes Barre. Admission is free.