BHSU Students and Sodexo Team Up for International Food Festival

Black Hills State University brought the campus and community together on November 20 for its annual International Food Festival, a signature event of International Education Week. Organized by the Office of International Affairs and supported by Sodexo Dining, the festival turned The Hive dining hall into a global tasting room. Students representing nine countries—and one international BHSU staff member—prepared dishes from their home cultures alongside Sodexo chefs, offering attendees an opportunity to experience personal recipes tied to home and heritage.

Each student selected an authentic dish and worked with the Dining team to scale it to 200 servings. By midday, several dishes were gone as attendees returned for seconds. Roughly 450 students, faculty, staff, and community members took part this year. Entry was a $10 donation, with all proceeds benefitting the Global Jackets student organization. This year’s event raised $1,090, a significant increase over last year.

A Standout Moment

For organizers, one of the most memorable parts of the day was watching students introduce their dishes with visible pride.

“I loved seeing how proud students are to share their cultural dishes with our community,” said Kaitlin Palmer, Director of International Relations & Global Engagement. “Many of them cooked family recipes or favorites from home. When people came back for seconds—or when a dish ran out—you could see how much it meant to them.”

Inside the Collaboration

Students spent time working directly with Sodexo’s culinary team, many for the first time. Palmer said that collaboration is central to the event’s success.

“Even though students may not have experience in a professional kitchen, the Dining Staff was welcoming and patient. They explained every step and helped students create dishes that stayed true to their roots,” she said. “It can feel hectic behind the scenes, but the team operates with precision while keeping the environment open and supportive.

Jacob Smith, Senior Marketing Specialist for Sodexo in South Dakota, echoed that sentiment.

“The dishes were incredible, the energy was great, and it was so fun seeing students and our culinary team shine together,” he said. “And it was impressive to see that we raised $1,090 in cash sales for the Global Jackets.”

Looking Ahead

This year’s festival included professional photographs of students with their dishes—something Palmer hopes will spark future projects.

“It would be exciting to put together a cookbook one day,” she said. “These recipes carry real meaning for our students, and people connect with that.

A Menu That Spanned the Globe

This year’s offerings included:

• Germany – Wiener Schnitzel
• Canada – Beaver Tails
• Japan – Japanese Curry
• Bangladesh – Bangladeshi Chicken Roast; Mango Lassi
• South Korea – Kimbap
• Nepal – Chatpate
• Ethiopia – Tibs
• Indigenous North America – Indian Tacos
• Vietnam – Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
• India – Anda Bhurji; Coconut Rice

Community Response

The International Food Festival has become a highly anticipated day on campus.

“I’ve heard many people say it’s their favorite day of the year,” Palmer added. “Our partnership with Sodexo Dining makes it possible to deliver an event that means a lot to our students and our community.

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