Stellenbosch University's (SU) diversity was on display at Wednesday's International Food Evening, hosted by the Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO). SU's international students assembled a wide variety of meals and drinks to treat guests to traditional cuisine from countries such as Botswana, Switzerland, China and many more.
The food evening assembled traditional dishes from 21 countries across the globe at Academia Hall on SU's main campus. According to Werner de Wit, the event's coordinator at the PGIO, the International Food Evening, which was initiated seven years ago, intends to bring SU's diverse international and local cultures to the fore.
The event aims to enhance unity amongst SU students by creating the opportunity for international students to prepare and share their countries' traditional dishes with the larger Stellenbosch community, enhance further integration of international students into Stellenbosch, spark conversation between people and challenge preconceptions. The wide variety of food offered a mix of tastes and aromas for as little as R10 per dish.
These included offerings of hot chocolate and gluehwein to further warm up the cold evening, pavlova from Australia, doughnuts and milk tart from South Africa, vol-au-vent and chocolate mousse from Belgium, nhopi with beef and spinach from Zimbabwe, and for the more adventurous eaters Botswana prepared mopani worms.
The rainy weather did not prevent a good turnout of guests who grasped the opportunity to try an international selection of dishes; "most of all we gathered to meet new friends," said Alexandra Price, from Germany. Despite the popularity of the China table's noodle and spring roll dish, which was finished first, the Australia table's pavlova impressed the event's food judges who selected it as the best food table at the event. Kenya was awarded second place and the Mexico table, whose blend of different flavoured tequila shots thrilled students, came third.
According to De Wit, meals were judged based on taste, response of participants, how representative the food was of the country, participants' dedication and presentation of the food and table.
The International Food Evening is a community oriented event of which any proceeds go towards community engagement projects. More information on the event can be found by contacting Werner de wit: wdw@sun.ac.za / 021 808 9002.
Article by Matthew O. Ayoola and Fhumulani Justice Khumela (journalist volunteers for the PGIO). Social photographs by Francois Badenhorst, food photography by Aldi du Toit (photography volunteers for the PGIO). More information on media can be found by contacting Christopher Muller or Michelle Viljoen, Communications and Liaison at the PGIO: christopherm@sun.ac.za / 021 808 9155.
