Throughout the Kent Student Center Ballroom, the aroma of delicious dishes inspired by countries from around the world filled the air as students, faculty and staff gathered for an evening of food, culture and celebration. The ballroom was abuzz with conversations, laughter and excitement as students representing Vietnam, Brazil, China, Mexico, Turkmenistan, Nigeria and Puerto Rico prepared to share traditional dishes inspired by their home countries.
The College of Honors and Global Education annual cook-off took place Nov. 5, bringing Kent State University students together to celebrate and share their cultural backgrounds through food. Participants competed for judges’ awards and the prized People’s Choice Award, voted on by attendees.
“The cook-off gives international and domestic students a fun, low-pressure way to share their cultures, meet people they might not otherwise cross paths with and see how much global diversity already exists here at Kent State,” said Magnolia Par, a counselor education and supervision major and graduate assistant in the College of Education and Human Services, who organized the event.
By offering engaging cross-cultural events and immersive international learning opportunities, the university cultivates a safe, welcoming and diverse global community that brings students together through shared traditions and mutual respect.
Admission to the event was free and open to the entire campus community. As part of the interactive learning experience, attendees tasted food from each table and voted for their favorite country’s food.
“My friend, who’s representing Vietnam, wanted me to come and support her. My favorite dishes were from the Vietnam and Brazil tables,” Tasmia Jannat Shammi, a senior computer science major, told Kent State Today.
While this was Shammi’s first time attending, she is eager to return next year. “It’s a pretty fun experience. I’m planning to compete next year and represent my country, Bangladesh,” she said.
For other students, the cook-off has become an opportunity to experience different cultures through food. Mira Khatun, a junior computer science major from Bangladesh, attended the event for the second time.
“I really enjoyed trying different cultural foods. Last time, I tried a Brazilian dessert, and it was so good. So I came back again,” Khatun said.
