International food Fest

Friday, the Gothic Wonderland will transform into an international culinary one with the debut of the International Food Festival. Sponsored by Duke's International Association, the festival will feature ethnic meals, prepared by an array of Duke's cultural groups and organizations (the Asian Student Association, DIYA, the Duke Bulgarian Association and the Arab Student Association) as well as traditional dishes prepared by international students.

According to IA Vice President Zaid Al-Husseini, senior, this event is "a chance for Duke Students to learn about various cultures and their traditional dishes" and of course to enjoy some good food. The participating organizations are already planning out their menus. A recess investigation discovered that some of the featured dishes include baklava and banitsa by the Bulgarian Association at Duke, idli and sambhar by DIYA, manaeesh by the Arab Student Association, Mongolian and Singaporean meats and various vegetarian offerings. Rather than explaining all these delicacies here, you're encouraged to try them all for yourself.

Besides the food, the IA has procured other entertainment. Popular Duke bands Pulsar Triyo and Bombadil will perform along with Duke Dhamaka and Defmo. Moreover, there will be sheeshas and hookah pipes on the quad. Duke students and other fine food connoisseurs will have to pay an entrance fee of five dollars to sample the eclectic offerings. All proceeds from this year's event will go to the victims of Katrina as well as the victims of the recent South Asian Earthquake. The IA is hoping to make the International Food Festival an annual event, so that each fall proceeds may benefit other international fundraising initiatives.

The International Food Fest will take place this Friday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on the Main West Quad.