Imagine the zombie apocalypse. Now take that a step further and imagine that they don’t only eat brains, but that they also have a taste for good food. Lastly, imagine them dressed in smart casual office attire and haggard from a whole day at the office and ready to eat like never before. This describes most of the people at the Ultimate Taste Test 7.0 last November 17 at Mercato.

All joking aside, all the hungry people (including myself) at Mercato could very well have been mistaken for zombies that night. If you’ve never been and want to be ready for it, I present to you the ultimate survival guide for the Ultimate Taste Test.

1. Do your research. Odds are, many food bloggers are buzzing about the UTT all over the Internet, so you have an idea what to expect in terms of food, location and all other questions you might have.
2. Have a game plan. When you arrive at the UTT, you might be madly overwhelmed by the amount of hungry zombies lining up to have a taste of what the twenty-something food stands have to offer. It helps to know what you want to munch on in advance so you won’t get swallowed up by the crowd.
3. Bring a friend. Having a buddy system is a great way to be able to sample more food and take more photos in a shorter amount of time. One of you can hold down the fort at the dining tables while the other braves the crowd to sample and document that new Taiwanese street food joint or artisan ice cream stand.
4. Smile. The people manning the booths have been working for hours and are probably tired and stressed. It helps to be friendly and let them know how you appreciate their efforts. Who knows? That simple act of kindness can even get you an extra scoop of ice cream or pasta!
5. Arrive with an empty stomach. You’ll be given about 30 to 50 different samples of food so getting your fill will be no problem.
6. Be patient. We know you’re hungry. So is everyone else. Maneuvering through a sea of hungry zombies is tough stuff. Just remember: They made enough food for everyone, and you’ll get your turn soon enough.
7. Be open-minded. You’ll encounter all sorts of food, including Tilapia Ice Cream from the Central Luzon State University. The more open you are to trying new things, the more likely you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
8. Manage your expectations. Going back to my first point, the layout of the Ultimate Taste Test is similar to a buffet table. This means that sometimes, the food might be pre-cooked. Remember that this is not an accurate representation of their actual offerings. Odds are their actual servings will taste much, MUCH better.
9. Honesty is the best policy. At the UTT, you’re given license to release your inner food critic. The more honest you are, the more you’re helping these homegrown food companies make better products for you.
10. Have fun. The whole reason I made this zombie survival list is because I wanted to treat the Ultimate Taste Test like a game, or scavenger hunt. If you don’t stress and simply go with the flow, I guarantee you’ll have a great time and a happy belly to boot!

Pro Tip: Check out Formosa Express! The ladies behind Formosa Express bring us Taiwanese street food like deep-fried chicken chops and lo ba bong, which is slow-stewed pork rice. I like Formosa Express because their food is perfect for munching on the go, and because it's something you don't see everyday. Check them out!