Organized by the Global Business and Culture Club (GBCC), with support from the Center for Global Initiatives, the Global Food Festival (GFF) has evolved to be one of the most anticipated events at Darden each year. Roshini Rajan (Class of 2017), the President of the Global Business and Culture Club shared, “GFF is an amazing platform for Darden students to come together and celebrate the different cultures of our global community. It’s always wonderful to see the ethnic diversity at Darden showcased through food, performances and traditional costumes.”
This year, the 28th Global Food Festival took place on Sunday 18 September, and over 500 people attended. These people included Darden students, faculty, and staff, as well as their family and friends. The festival featured food tasting, multi-cultural activities, and cultural performances, which showcased international cultures and cuisines.
Students presented their cultures through tables of food from around the world, and also performed on stage with songs, dance, as well as traditional dress. Food from 22 different countries were found at the festival. The cultural performances featured African, Thai, Bhangra, Bollywood dance, musical performances from Kazakhstan, China, India, and a special performance from Darden’s very own musical band: SoundDarden.
Trisha Hongcharti, the Darden Center for Global Initiatives Global Programs Associate commented, “Ever since I started working at Darden, I’d heard that I had to go to the Global Food Festival. This was my first year at the Global Food Festival and I already can’t wait for next year. Too much food, not enough stomach.”
While all cuisines were delicious and carefully prepared, this year, the judges (a select group of faculty and staff) declared Desi Noise (Team India) the winner and Brazilian Storm (Team Brazil) won the popular vote.
Photos all courtesy of Manish Singh Rathaur (Class of 2017).
