Table-sitters in Free Speech Alley on Friday handed out more than just the usual fliers – they gave away free food.
Student Government and the Union Program Council co-sponsored the food and culture event as a part of International Week, which celebrated the numerous world cultures embodied by students at the University.
International student organization booths representing Indian, Brazilian and Chinese cultures lined both sides of the alley and lead to tables covered in international and ethnic cuisines.
“We are trying to give everybody a little taste of other cultures,” said Teranie Nash, a human services junior, who is a member of the UPC international committee.
Campus Dining prepared the cosmopolitan collection of grub, which included Armenian rice pilaf, Cuban pork, French mini fruit tarts and Greek baclava.
Trisha Grower, a biological sciences senior, described the Greek baclava – a cinnamon-filled pastry – as “sweet and rich.”
“It’s like it melts in my mouth,” she said.
The food and culture event introduced Grower to a new dish.
“Cuban pork was sweet and tangy,” she said. “I had never tried that.”
The event drew some students, like Dien Nguyen a biological sciences sophomore who wanted more than just free food.
“It’s not just about free food but to have fun,” Nguyen said. “You get to see a lot of other cultures and get to make new friends.”
Lee Guilbeau, the DJ for KLSU’s international music show, surrounded eaters with international listening pleasure.
Guilbeau played tracks that mixed traditional folk sounds from around the world with pounding pop rhythms.
“I’m going by regions of the world,” Guilbeau said of his musical selections. “I started with Asia, and now I’m on the Middle East.”
Nadia Stoilova, a biochemistry junior from Macedonia, said the event provided a fun and entertaining atmosphere, but she questioned the legitimacy of the international cuisine.
“We’re not supposed to have food from Chartwells,” she said. “They were supposed to give us international food, not food made by Americans.”