International Day
International Day has long been a fixture on the school calendar and wouldn’t be complete without the Food Hall for students and teachers. It’s the one day a year where no one will judge you for mixing Korean kimchi, German Kartoffelsalat, and Pakistan’s Lahori chicken tikka on the same plate. Not to mention Turkish ezme, Philippine palitaw, Swedish köttbullar, Japanese kare raisu, and a taste of the Great British Carvery, if you’ve still got room! And while everybody knows French crèpes or Belgian waffles, had you ever heard of Flemish Carbonnade?
The Food Hall on both campuses is entirely organized by the PTG, with the support of the school’s Estates team.
This year, 24 countries were represented at Primary School’s International Day Food Hall on 12 October: Australia, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Pakistan, Madagascar, and Nigeria.
High School International Day is coming up just before half-term on 19 October and the Food Hall will feature specialities from the following 23 countries: Australia, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, and the US.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the parents who have contributed to either Primary School or High School International Day – or, in some cases, both! We know how much work goes into organizing each national table, purchasing ingredients, and slaving over a hot stove the evening before hundreds of hungry students descend upon your stalls. International Day is a great cooperative effort on the part of the participating parents and it absolutely would not be possible without you.
Particular thanks go to the “small countries” – i.e. those with only few representatives in school, sometimes only one family. We hugely appreciate your efforts. Thank you for giving us the chance to sample such delights as Baobab juice from Madagascar, Jellof rice from Nigeria, and Shopska salad from Bulgaria!
And with many families of several nationalities, it is always fascinating to see who joins which table. PTG Chair Hilary, who is from the UK, stepped up to represent her adopted home Switzerland at Primary, as she couldn’t bear the thought of depriving the children of the wonders of a chocolate fountain. Let’s hope someone else stepped in to make the sausage rolls for the British table!