KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow)  Kaycie Meyerrose, owner and operator of Otto’s Food and Drink in downtown Keene, joined Chef Luca Paris and Dan Mitchell on this week’s episode of “What’s Cooking with Luca Paris” on WKBK Radio today to give listeners a flavorful preview of the highly anticipated Taste of Keene food festival, happening this Saturday, June 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in downtown Keene.

Representing one of the newest restaurants in town, Meyerrose described her excitement—and a little bit of nervous energy—about preparing for Otto’s first appearance at the rapidly growing festival, which draws thousands of hungry attendees to Main Street each year.

“We’re preparing about 600 portions of each item,” said Meyerrose, explaining how much work goes into menu planning and sourcing ingredients for the event.

Otto’s offerings on Saturday include pork belly, corn chowder and watermelon feta skewers.

Taste of Keene 2025, a food festival organized by the Keene Young Professionals Network and originally launched in 2020 as part of downtown reopening efforts, has grown from about 20 vendors to over 40 this year, with expected attendance topping 5,000. Returning favorites like 21 Bar & Grill, Brewbakers and Yahso (bringing their food truck) will be joined by a mix of newcomers (Madame Sherri’s among them) and crowd-pleasers, each serving up one- to three-token bites in a festive, walkable environment from Ted’s Shoe & Sport to the white church on Main Street.

Meyerrose and Paris agreed on a key strategy for attendees: come early. “Popular places run out fast,” said Paris. “If it’s your second time going there, remember the stuff you liked the first time. Hit those early because the earlier you go, more chance you’ll do it without a line.”

For Meyerrose, who helped open Otto’s this March, the event is a chance to introduce even more locals to what her team brings to the Keene culinary scene. “We’re ready,” she said.

Taste of Keene is a rain-or-shine event (except in the case of extreme weather), and tokens for food purchases will be available at the entrance and can be pre-ordered at Taste of Keene 2025. Each token costs between $1.83 and $2.00, and food items typically range from one to three tokens.

Listen to the full interview: