Asian students prepare traditional lunch at WWU

4/24/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

East met west recently when nine Asian students prepared lunch for some of their teachers and others at William Woods University.
 
"The luncheon was a tradition with students up through 2009 and was revived last year with a little twist," said Melinda McEwen, their ESL (English as Second Language) instructor. 

"Instead of just being a luncheon hosted by the students for their facilitators, the preparation for the luncheon, as well as the meal itself, became an English as Second Language activity."
 
The students, some from Taiwan and some from China, prepared dishes representing Asian and American cuisine. For appetizers, they served cold pickle appetizer and spicy tofu, as well as toasted ravioli and egg salad.
 
The Asian specialty dishes included liang mein, dumplings, fried rice, marinated pork and Taiwan kambo chicken, along with American favorites, St. Louis style pizza, French fries, Kansas City barbeque shredded pork, baked potato casserole and omelet.
 
Dessert consisted of sesame rice ball and coconut drop cookies, layered jello cake and cupcakes. The Asian drink was milk tea, while the American drink was pink lemonade.
 
"Students created every aspect of the meal based only on a theme I provided to them," McEwen said.  "This year's theme, 'East Meets West,' showcased the students' favorite Asian and American dishes. 
                                                           
Not only did the international students plan and prepare the meal, but they created the invitations, menu and decorations.
 
"The students chose the Cherry Blossom as a traditional Asian flower to represent the East and the Dogwood for the west," McEwen said.
                                                         
 
CULTLINE
Asian students pose with some of the dishes they prepared at William Woods University. Front row: Hung-Yi Shen (Henry), Yu-Ju Liu (Iris), Mark Lai, Xia Gu (Eva), Ching-Lung Wu (Ching) and back row:  I-Han, Chen (Ryan) , Shen-Cong Ma (Edward), Chin-Cheng Chiu (Sven), Shuo-Tong Wu (S.T.)