November 6, 2018

International Food Festival on the menu at SVSU Tuesday

A celebration of international culture and cuisine will return to Saginaw Valley State University, which is preparing to host its annual International Food Festival Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The 21st International Food Festival will feature dishes chosen by 13 groups of students from SVSU's International Student Club. The groups represent a different country or region, and each has selected classic dishes from home to share.

The festival is open to the public and will take place in SVSU’s Marketplace at Doan cafeteria. Admission will cost $9.50. 

Food provided by students from Brazil, China, El Salvador, France, India, Japan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Taiwan will be available at the festival. Students from SVSU’s African Student Union also will add items to the menu. For the first time in the festival’s history, Ukrainian and Palestinian cuisine will be available.

Featured dishes include savory entrees such as curry, biryani and sesame chicken as well as sweet favorites including mango lassi, boba milk tea and crêpes.

The festival serves as the centerpiece of SVSU’s recognition of International Education Week, a celebration of international students and educators.

“The food festival is important for the same reason we have international students,” said Pat Shelley, an SVSU international student advisor. “They’re not here just to get their education. They’re here to share their culture, and we benefit from that. It’s part of our education too.”

Shelley helps facilitate the event and coordinates with the Marketplace at Doan staff while the students are responsible for organizing each national group and providing recipes to the staff cooks.

Last year, the food festival served over 2,000 diners.

For more information on the food festival, contact SVSU Dining Services at (989) 964-4252.