Watch CBS News

This Weekend Kicks Off First-Ever Pierogi Festival

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – There are few things as uniquely Pittsburgh as the pierogi -- from the racing pierogies at PNC Park, to churches selling them as fundraisers.

And this weekend, for the very first time, there is a festival in honor of one of Pittsburgh's favorite foods.

A trip to the Strip is not complete without pierogies from S&D Polish Deli, where in addition to making the unbelievable entrees; they can teach you how to make them.

This weekend, it's all about Piergoies.

KDKA's Rick Dayton Reports:

"Why not take this food that everyone loves and then do it in a festival that's by the river which is also another uniquely Pittsburgh thing," said Stephan Bontrager, spokesman for the Pierogi Festival. "So that's where we came up with this idea for the first annual Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival at South Shore Riverfront Park."

Hard to believe, but it's the first time to celebrate the food – 10 vendors and restaurants will sell samples from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in the South Shore Riverfront Park.

You will probably find pierogi pillows, great fun for children and who knows what else will be at the pop-up pierogi market. But there's one thing that will definitely be there.

"In Pittsburgh it's kind of a tradition but it has developed into a lot more," said Jason Shaffer, Executive Chef at Braddock's American Brasserie. "I think a lot more people are playing with their food so it makes it a lot more fun."

There's no telling exactly what kind of flavors you may find.

"We want a super flavorful pierogi on that so in our particular instance we use sauerkraut, sautéed mushrooms with a lot of butter and a little bit of cheese so it just heightens the flavor of the sandwich," said Chef de Cuisine Chris Davies of BRGR.

That's the pierogi BRGR puts on top of their very popular hamburger – and they are not alone in experimentation.

Festival Preview on Pittsburgh Today Live:

"We made pumpkin and duck this month," he said. "Next month we are making turkey kielbasa and stuffing, short ribs. I mean we do all sorts of fun. I mean, the sky's the limit."

They talk about how on St. Patrick's Day, everybody is Irish. Well this weekend, with the Pierogi fest, everyone becomes Polish.

RELATED LINKS
More Food and Drink
Follow KDKA's food blog
More Local News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.