Middle School Community Embarks on Exquisite Culinary Journey

Enticing aromas from cuisines worldwide filled the air in the dining hall as seventh- and eighth-grade students along with faculty came together recently to celebrate the rich tapestry of the Middle School community during the third annual Cultural Food Festival.

The event, hosted by the Middle School Diversity Club and its faculty advisors Allison Ehrenreich and Jose Martinez, welcomed students to immerse themselves in diverse cultural cuisine and desserts representative of their classmates' heritage. The menu included Arroz Con Leche Cubano (Cuban rice pudding), a Columbian bread called pandebono, injera from Ethiopia, Brazilian cheese bread, Italian meatballs, Vietnamese spring salad, and so much more.

“The Cultural Food Festival is a wonderful opportunity for students across the Middle School to celebrate the diverse cultures that they identify with - ethnically, religiously, geographically, and more,” said Ms. Ehrenreich. “The goal is to create a fun and educational experience for all students as they get to try new foods and learn about the cultures of their peers. In the past two years, it has been amazing to see how proud and excited so many of our students were to share and see others partake in what they brought in.”

Before the students were able to dive into the culinary delights, Ms. Ehrenreich and Mr. Martinez advised the students to try a little bit of everything and not be afraid of food they’re not familiar with. As the students made their ways to the food tables, they all took some time to read the notes placed in front of each dish that explained the type of food, its ingredients, and the significance of the dish to the student’s culture. While enjoying the cuisine, students were also asked to fill out passport cards detailing the different foods they tried and, most importantly, the food they liked the most.

“What a great event hosted by the Middle School Diversity Club,” said Director of Middle School Brian Christman. “It seemed like the wide variety of food and the interesting background sheets made it such a great experience for the kids, many of whom were so proud to share what they had made.”