Aurora residents should prep their taste buds as the city’s annual Global Flavors food competition starts accepting nominations for the best international cuisine. 

The contest, which will take nominations through March 30, is a way to celebrate the city’s variety of food from around the world, according to a news release Tuesday.

Aurora is among the most diverse cities in Colorado, with about 33% of its 400,000 residents speaking a language other than English at home and 21% foreign-born. 

The city’s diversity is a major part of its identity and is woven into the city in many ways — namely in its food scene. 

Throughout Aurora, there are 440 small cuisine businesses, including authentic, specialty restaurants and market and dozens of food trucks boasting tastes from around the world, according to a news release from the city.

To celebrate the vast food scene, food providers who want to participate in Global Flavors can nominate a globally inspired dish, drink or dessert of their choosing through March 30. 

In May, the public can visit nominated businesses to try their featured dishes, then vote for their favorites.

The top three winners will be recognized at Global Fest, Aurora’s annual event that showcases international cultures, on June 14 and featured on AuroraTV and various city social media channels. 

Businesses interested in participating must be based in Aurora, licensed by the city to sell food, be in good standing with regulatory agencies and feature a “globally inspired” drink, dish or dessert, according to the release. 

Each business can nominate one item per category for a total of three items. Nominations are being accepted through Aurora’s Global Flavors webpage.

Ricardo Gambetta, the manager of the Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, said the city encourages all local food providers to participate in the competition and help the city recognize the economic and cultural contributions of Aurora’s diverse population.

“Global Flavors is a creative initiative that seeks to actively support and involve the local business community in this global celebration, showcase the diversity of food across Aurora, and unite people through food,” Gambetta said. “Last year, the top three places were owned by members of the immigrant community, which was a perfect opportunity to recognize our diverse population’s economic and cultural contributions as acknowledged in the city’s Immigrant Integration Plan.”

Last year’s winners were SweetPepper Kitchen’s Jollof Rice, HoneyBee Asian Bistro and Sushi’s Flaming Tiger Roll and Ladydee’s Authentic Nigerian Cuisine’s Heritage Red Beef Stew. 

Global Flavors was born out of Aurora’s annual Global Fest, which will take place this year on the Aurora Municipal Center Great Lawn, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, on June 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Global Fest is in its 11th year, and more recently city officials decided to extend the food scene element of the festival via Global Flavors to better capture the diversity of cuisine in Aurora, according to the release.

Global Fest is free, family friendly and brings community together the “sights, sounds and flavors of nations from around the world.”

It will include music and dance performances, a variety of local food trucks, an international marketplace, the Parade of Nations, a fashion show, art, activities for kids and more.