Students experienced tastes from around the world last Wednesday at the Multicultural Food Festival hosted by the Office of Global and Multicultural Affairs. A blend of aromatic spices filled the air as students filed in to sample delicious dishes from Nepal, Japan, Saudi Arabia and many more countries.
Student tasters lined up to purchase tickets to be exchanged for different meals provided by student cooks from many other cultures. Sophomore computer science major Nishu Shrestha cooked traditional Nepalese momo, steamed dumplings stuffed with flavorful chicken and vegetables. Accompanied by an achar sauce and brimming with delicious Nepali spices, the dish was delightful. She also served a refreshing lassi, a traditional yogurt-based drink.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with people through food, exchanging stories and experiences while indulging in a rich tapestry of flavors from around the world,” Shrestha said. “The sense of community and culinary exploration made the event truly memorable.”
International Student Services and Multicultural Affairs Director Gina White explained why the festival is important to the university.
“The festival plays a vital role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage and fosters a sense of belonging and unity among the campus community,” White said.
Ethar Mudhish proudly represented Saudi Arabia by serving some Saudi hamsa, delicious seasoned rice and chicken infused with authentic Saudi spices. She also cooked a bechamel rigatoni, a flavorful vegetable pasta mixed in a rich and creamy sauce. Mudhish enjoyed trying different foods and conversing with other international students.
“I had the pleasure of meeting so many new and interesting people from various countries,” Mudhish said. “Each dish I tried was a unique and delicious experience that I will never forget.”
The Multicultural Food Festival brought the community together to showcase the culinary talent and the rich diversity of cultures here at ULM. Although the campus community includes students from many different cultural backgrounds, all students can connect through the universal language of food.
