Free ethnic cuisine attracts students

If you give students dinner, they'll eat for a night; if youteach them how to cook, they can eat and learn about a new cultureat the same time.

Just ask the people who bustled into Scheidler Apartments' mainoffice Tuesday night ready to eat a homecooked Latin meal as partof Hispanic Heritage Week.

About 50 people attended, and this year -- instead of justeating the food like in years past -- students, staff members andchildren learned how to make the meal too.

"We've done this a few times, like five or six, but this is thefirst year that we (taught)," senior Chole Hughes, treasurer of theLatino Student Union, said. "(It's) kind of like the Emerilshow."

This year's menu included pico de gallo, chicken enchiladas,fried plantains, Mexican rice and cheese enchiladas.

"We initially came for the free food, but we've made many newfriends here and learned some good cooking ideas," junior CarrieCowles said.

The evening started when people distributed chips and salsawhile sophomores Cat Zakrajsek and Kenny Berg and senior Kim Prattshowed the audience how to make the meal in their own homes.

Many came for more than just the free food.

"My grandson's mother is Mexican-American," Wanda Resler, juniorand WIPB-TV staff member, said. "He lives with us ... He doesn'tget as much exposure to Hispanic culture as we want him to."

Joe Flores, LSU president, said he hoped to expand culture anddiversity on campus.

"We here honoring the contributions Hispanics have made in theUnited States and around the world," Flores said. "Besides, it'sfree food, and we're all broke college students. It's nice to get ahomecooked meal."

Other events during the week include a racial-relations workshopon Wednesday, a salsa-dancing lesson on Thursday and movie night onFriday, featuring the movie "Frida."

National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.The month recognizes the traditions, ancestry and experiences ofthose who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central and SouthAmerica, and the Caribbean.


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