Cuisine And Culture

Graphic by Katie Wallace

Written by Madeline Kohlberg. Media by Katie Wallace.

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Graphic by Katie Wallace
Graphic by Katie Wallace

 

Eat delicious food.  Get cross-cultural credit.  And repeat.

It really doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to filling that cross-cultural requirement.  This past interterm, I was privileged to be in the first-ever Cuisine and Culture class, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.  What better way to learn about other cultures than to experience their foods firsthand?

Photo by Taylor Likes
Photo by Taylor Likes

I had no idea that there were so many different cultures of food to be had in St. Louis.  Our first stop on the trip was the London Tea Room for a good cuppa and scones; my good friend from England gave her seal of authenticity from the scones to the choice of crockery involved, so there’s some proper English fare for you.  Also on the list was the Zen Japanese restaurant, where I got to put on a brave face and try some barbeque eel.  Which, incidentally, was quite delicious, though surprisingly salmon-like in its flavor, something I definitely wasn’t expecting.  And then there was Favazza’s, a lovely Italian place on the Hill.  The homemade pasta there was enough to make the entire meal, but that was before I’d seen the cannoli’s…

Photo by Katie Wallace
Photo by Katie Wallace

Another highlight would be the Feasting Fox for German food.  My, my, what a feast we beheld there!   And add in some Indian, Chinese, and Dominican food to give a delicious variety, and you’re truly set to go.  As much fun as it is to enjoy the cooking of someone else, we were able to get our hands dirty in the kitchen as well.  The class came together to cook a meal of Greek food, which turned out to be very delicious.  We even had a chance to visit the Dream Center to appreciate the way that people less-fortunate than we lived.  It was very humbling to get a chance to see the good work that was done there.

Going down to New Orleans for any reason is going to be a fabulous time, but going to New Orleans for the sole purpose of eating?  I’m just going to let that thought hang there for a moment…

Photo by Katie Wallace
Photo by Katie Wallace

Café du Monde became quite the popular stop for all of us; we were making our way back over there every chance that we got.  But, really, how can you pass up the opportunity to have as many beignets as you can?  Golden, crispy donuts fried in hot oil with way more powdered sugar than is good for you… I rest my case.

We couldn’t go to New Orleans without enjoying some Cajun and soul food, and both ended up being quite delightful.   A West African restaurant rounded us out nicely, and in the end, we were able to leave New Orleans with full stomachs and, of course, a greater appreciation for all things cuisine.  Naturally!

This is definitely the kind of class that I’d want to take over and over again, just for a chance to try all these different cuisines again.  It’s a class that comes highly recommended!

 

Video by Taylor Likes

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