ST. PAUL – Diverse dishes from around the world lined the tables of the Event Centre at Portage College on Oct. 2.
Many members of the community had the opportunity to sample the dishes as they mingled in the busy-filled space.
Those involved with the college wanted the community to meet its international students, so they planned for the multi-cultural event, says Edna Gervais, community liaison at Portage, during the Taste of Culture event, last Wednesday.
International students, St. Paul residents, as well as individuals of various ethnic backgrounds including culinary students, cooked the dishes for the event.
“We really want to have the community involved,” she said. And the best way of involving the community in a multi-cultural event “is through food, because food is a great way to foster connection within a community, Gervais explained.
“St. Paul is so diverse now with different cultures. So, it's really a good way for us to get the community involved . . . and just for all of us to learn a little bit more about each other,” she said.
Carrie Froehler, vice president of People and Culture at Portage College, expressed her glee at the turnout and the enthusiasm of the attendees.
Froehler says the college has offered similar cultural events on its other campuses for several years, which have been successful. So, the college wanted to bring the experience to St. Paul.
“We didn't know what to expect,” added Froehler, speaking of the first-time event. “But the turnout has been amazing, and people are just so excited to try the different foods.”
Seeing people share their heritage and get to know each other was the result the college and the event organizers wanted to see, Froehler said.
Froehler and Gervais thanked everyone who came out.
“We had a great showcase of different cultures, and you could just feel the warmth and the camaraderie in the room,” Gervais said. “And that's why we do it – It was really heartwarming.”
Froehler agreed. “We look forward to bigger and better things next year and hope to make it an annual event.”
