On Monday, Nov. 3, exquisite aromas filled the D.P. Culp Student Center as the Taste of Cultures event fed hundreds of students food from various countries. The smell drew hungry and curious students to try traditional meals from West Africa, Greece, Mexico and India, which were open to all students at the event, allowing them to learn more about food from diverse cultures.
One of the event’s goals, as expressed by Assistant Director of the Student Activity Center Nathnael Tadesse, was to encourage students to take an interest in diversity and culture.
“What we’re trying to do is introduce the idea of different cultures through food,” Tadesse said.
ETSU students said they enjoyed sampling the foods they had never tried before, feeling they learned from the experience.
The dishes prepared by Sodexo chefs included West African-style chicken and rice, as well as Mexican pork tacos served with cilantro and onions. Greek foods, such as gyro wraps with lamb and baklava — a Greek pastry filled with nuts and honey — were also served, along with lo mein to represent China. Additionally, a fun meal of hot Cheeto-crusted mac and cheese was served to represent Appalachia, which some students surprisingly savored the most.
The combination of the tastes and smells was used to help students learn more about different cultures and their cuisine.
