Event offers CBU students an opportunity to “taste” culture

Riverside, Calif. (Oct. 4, 2017) – Students at California Baptist University had their palates roused at the Taste the Nations event on Oct. 3.

International Student Services hosted the event, held in Stamps Courtyard that featured opportunities for students to taste cuisines from around the world. Additionally, international students staffed the booths, allowing them to introduce their peers to cultural foods.

“There are many different aspects to culture, with food being one of them,” said Leslie Shelton, director of International Student Services. “We hope that through this event, international students have the opportunity to share their culture with others as well as give domestic students an opportunity to experience new cultures through food.”

Food booths included treats such as baklava and ayran (a yogurt beverage) from the Middle East; plantain chips and chin chin (a fried snack) from Africa; lumpia (a spring roll) from Southeast Asia; Pao de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) from Latin America; and an exotic booth that featured silkworm. The food was supplied from various vendors, many that specialize in serving specific ethnic foods.  

Daniel Chow, a junior from China who volunteered at the event, said he misses a noodle dish from home.

“This event allows students to be exposed to things that are normal for us,” Chow said.

Bailee Gonsal, a pre-nursing freshman, tried a chocolate biscuit called Tim Tam, a staple of the Polynesian culture.

“I went because I am always open to trying new foods and exploring new cultures and this was the perfect opportunity to do so,” Gonsal said. “You don’t just learn about it, you experience it by tasting the food firsthand.”

Daniel Frachou, a business administration freshman, tried many different candies and sodas from different countries.

“This event is an explosion of culture in every direction,” Frachou said.