BEVERLY HILLS—Several thousand people attended the city of Beverly Hills’ first ever Hummus Festival at the Beverly Hills Farmer’s Market on Sunday, October 30. According to a press release from the city of Beverly Hills, the event was sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, The Israeli American Council, The Israeli House and the city of Beverly Hills.

The festival was a celebration of Israeli food and culture featuring a hummus smorgasbord and a competition from hummus-making amateurs and professionals. The competition comprised of 10 participants who revealed their creation. The top 3 contenders received gift certificates by Mickey Fine Pharmacy and Grill, one of the sponsors of the hummus competition.

Judges included: Nancy Krasne, Vice-Mayor for the city of Beverly Hills; Jeff Gross from Mickey Fine Pharmacy and Grill and Frances Bilak from the Recreation and Parks Commission Chair. They awarded a tie for First Place to Rose Kemps for her red pepper hummus and Rachid Rouhi from Mom’s Hummus (a vendor at the market) for his artichoke, spinach hummus.

Second place was awarded to Ron Sasiela for his lemon, chunky avocado hummus. Other hummus varieties entered in the competition included, golden beet hummus, cured lemon hummus, hummus with fava beans; traditional Lebanese hummus; Egyptian hummus and one dish named “Hummus with Love.”

Several Israeli eateries served popular dishes during the festival including Bibi’s Bakery & Café who served potato and cheese bourekas; Majestic Glatt Catering & Events served sabich sandwiches and vegetable paninis; and the Middle Feast Food Truck served chicken shawarma in pita. Pacific Kosher, Sadaf Foods and Falafel Party served a variety of foods as well.

Patrons at the festival were able to purchase items from the Farmer’s Market including fresh produce, jewelry, art, gift items and other accessories from Israeli establishments. The documentary film, “For the Love of Hummus,” was presented for viewing.

To learn more about Farmers’ Market’s events and activities visit: www.beverlyhills.org/farmersmarket.

The BH Farmers’ Market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is located on the 9300 block of Civic Center Drive between Third Street and Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Free, two-hour parking is available in the Civic Center parking garage or free parking is available until 2 p.m. at the nearby Third Street garage.