Curious Diners Flock to Ambassadors 'Flavours of the World' Reception

Guests sample items from India, Pakistan, Ecuador, Botswana, and The Netherlands

WOOSTER, Ohio - From Dutch pea soup and Ecuadorian braised pork to Indian fried potato balls and Botswana chicken groundnut stew, there were enough selections to please the palates of all 155 guests at The College of Wooster's annual "Flavors of the World" Reception last week in Kittredge Hall.

Sponsored by Wooster's Ambassadors - five international students chosen to represent their countries during a one-year appointment - the feast, which was prepared by chefs from the Wooster Inn, featured more than 20 unique items spread across five serving stations.

Prachi Saraogi, a junior from India, greeted visitors at the first station, which included marsala paneer muteer (green peas and cheese in tomato sauce) and rabdi (saffron/cardamom pudding). From there, diners moved onto Pakistan, where Amun Nadeem, also a junior, stood by as guests sampled the biryani (spicy goat and rice), milky seviyan (dessert creamy soup with thin noodles), chicken karahi (chicken with green chilies), and chai tea at her station.

Bastiaan van de Lagemaat, a tall, thin junior from The Netherlands, invited diners to partake of his hutspot (mashed vegetables with smoked sausage) and haagse bluf (blackberry sauce on beaten egg whites) at the third station, while Nita Chavez, a sophomore from Ecuador, offered llapingachos (cheese stuffed potato patties) and curtido de cebolla y tomate (pickled red onion and tomato salad) among other delectable dishes.

Morag Neill, a sophomore from Botswana, shared diphaphta (fried muffins) and char-grilled peaches in ginger and star anise syrup at the fifth station, along with thick, rich pineapple smoothies, which served as the perfect nightcap.

After everyone had a chance to stop at each station at least once, the Ambassadors, dressed in their native garb, came forward, one-by-one, to share information about the culture and tradition of their native countries. van de Lagemaat, the lanky Dutchman, drew the heartiest laughter when he described how his fellow countrymen just "mash" everything together at mealtime.

The annual "Flavours of the World" reception is one of the highlights of International Education Week. The Ambassadors Program was established at Wooster in 2001 and is supported by the Seaman Family Foundation. Each year, five international students are chosen on the basis of their ability to represent the culture of their native country as well as their enthusiasm for international outreach.