Since 1998, the International Food Festival is one of the biggest and the most important events of the School community where students can have a great chance to share not only international cuisines, but also different culture. This year, the 15^th International Food Festival was held on November 7, 2014 at Lincoln Hall and Chun Ji Lounge of the KDI School. There were over 250 participants including faculty members, staffs, students, friends, and families from many different countries.   

 Students from more than 60 countries around the world formed 12 teams to participate in this big traditional event. On the day of the event, the Lincoln Hall and Chun Ji Lounge became a small globe decorated with many diverse national flags, traditional customs, and many other symbols of national identity. Sang-woo Nam, the Dean of the KDI School, said “Food is important for the world in general, and for each nation in particular because it represents the culture of a nation.”

More than 250 guests tasted cuisines from seven continents: Chicken Curry from Cambodia, Pupusas from El Savador, Rice Bubble Treats from Canada, Bean Paste Stew from Korea, Phad Thai from Thailand, Afghan Cookies from New Zealand, Olivier Salad from Russia and Central Asia, and many others cuisines from the places that participants could never imagine.

The voting result came out within fifteen minutes, and first Professor Jin Park was invited to come up to announce the two 2^nd place winners who were given to the teams named “Taste of ASEAN”, and “Irie Latino”. Afterwards, Dean Nam was invited to announce the 1^st place winner, which was given to the team named “WOW.”

Issam M.M. Danadneh (2014 MDP, Palestine), a WOW team representative, told the Globe secretes of how his team could win the first grand prize. First, he made sure that the guests could try different cuisines from 12 countries only from his team alone. Second, most ingredients were brought directly from the native land, and last but not least, he focused on decorations to catch people’s eyes. To Issam, the 2014 International Food Festival was fun and amazing because students had a chance to bring a part of their home countries to Korea. “Food is culture, but we can exchange not only culture, but we learn a lot more: leadership, cooperation, coordination. Those are the life experiences that I will never forget.”

The festival finished at around 6:30PM with friendship and enjoyment. It made students another unforgettable memory at the KDI School.

By Sopheana Bronh (2013 MPP, Cambodia)