Serving Up Global Traditions at Annual International Dinner
The Cameron Mann Dining Hall was transformed into a vibrant celebration of culture, community and cuisine last weekend at the beloved annual International Dinner.
With 21 students preparing 21 dishes representing 14 countries, the evening offered a rich sampling of global traditions.
Students worked side by side in the kitchen on their recipes, which ranged from comforting homestyle favorites to festive desserts. First-time participants Ryan Bing ’29 and Elffie Gu ’29, both from China, helped prepare garlic steamed shrimp, embracing the chance to cook for a wider community.
Bing reflected, “I only had the chance to make food for myself, and I think it's an entirely new experience to make food for everyone in the community so that has been very interesting.”
Added Gu, “Working in the kitchen together makes it feel like we are one whole community and that has been really great. The Brock staff are really nice. They’re always helping us and asking if we need help.”
Students also brought regional specialties to the table, including Balkan and Croatian dishes prepared by Mark Bracun ’29 and Dylan Fernandez ’27.
For Bracun, sharing food from home was especially meaningful. “I can show people what I eat in Croatia and all over the Balkan states,” he said. “It brings me joy because I can bring something from my country to the United States, where I live now.”
Fernandez, who hails from Costa Rica, experienced many of these dishes for the first time. “This is my first time cooking for this dinner,” he said. “When we go to the International Dinner, I just get a little bit of everything, and I think it's fun having food from other countries.”
Behind the scenes, Brock Dining Services staff members played a key role in supporting the event.
Veeda Nabi, in her second year working the International Dinner, said that she enjoys helping the students: “I feel more connected to them, and I get to know about their cultures and their countries.”
Brock General Manager Lee Bergelson reflected on the broader impact of the evening, noting, “I enjoy the satisfaction of the kids when they see their finished meal and their peers coming to eat their food. I think the students leave with an appreciation that it's a lot of work and effort to cook for this number of people.”
The event was organized by the International Club and emceed by student co-chairs Anna María Caponnetto Insa ’26, Kseniia Lukianenko ’26, Xing Lyu ’26 and Zara Murray ’27. Caponnetto Insa said that the dinner was “bittersweet, especially knowing that it was my last one, but it was equally special and memorable.”
The evening was further enhanced by performances from student musicians and dancers. Songs by Sebby Simkin ’26 and The Reck band (Xing Lyu ’26, William Sun ’26 and Esther Ni ’27) filled the space, while KODE brought energy and rhythm with a dynamic K-pop dance performance.
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