The mixed scent of sweet bread and cheesy pasta fills the room as students pile their plates with unique dishes from countries around the world. The SAFE and International Club annual Food Fest was hosted during unit lunch on May 28. The clubs host this event to celebrate different cultures through food.

After not hosting it last school year, the two clubs decided to bring back this tasty event for students to enjoy. Previously, the event was known as the International food night and was done after school but club members and advisors decided to change that to accommodate schedules. By doing this, the event invited and allowed more students to join.

Members of the clubs signed up to bring in dishes and beverages for everyone to enjoy. Some students brought traditional meals from their cultures while others tried new recipes.

“I hoped students would open themselves up to trying new things, and experiencing different food, from different cultures, that they might not get the opportunity to at home,” Del Val counselor and advisor for SAFE Club Ashley Miranda said.

The event was popular and featured foods from a variety of countries like Mexico, Greece, Macedonia, and Puerto Rico. The foods ranged from savory pasta dishes to sweet pastries.

“As I’m eating this, I’m thinking ‘wow’, these are from different countries and it’s great to know about them,” Del Val senior Manuela De Leao said.

Students that attended the food fest were able to expand their food pallets with all the new foods they tried.

“I learned about new flavors by trying all of these new foods,” Del Val senior Allysa Catalla said.

The event gave a sense of unity among the club members who were celebrating each other.

“Everything tasted good and it showed me that our cultures are different but we’re all connected in some way,” Del Val senior Madelyn Zepeda said.

The food fest highlighted how both clubs strive to be inclusive and promote different cultures to their members.

”It was a successful event and I really hope that we’re able to do it again next year,” Del Val ESL teacher and advisor of International Club Debra Billman said.