International dinner to showcase community’s cultural cuisine

If your taste buds crave food from Africa or Southeast Asia, there’s no need to travel the world to get it — instead, sit down to such cuisine right here in Moose Jaw. The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC) is holding its sixth annual International Dinner Fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 29 at St. Andrew’s Church starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the MJMC office on 60 Athabasca Street East or at the Newcomer Welcome Centre at 432 Main Street North.

The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children age four to 12. It is recommended that you purchase tickets early since this event sells out quickly. To purchase tickets call 306-693-4677.

This event gives the students and clients of the multicultural council the opportunity to share food from their home countries while also celebrating the community’s various cultures, explained Tyler Bastedo, MJMC’s community connections co-ordinator. All the proceeds will go toward field trips and programming for new clients with the organization.

The roster of cultures offering some type of cuisine is still being finalized, but so far, immigrants from Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Myanmar (Burma), Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Canada have committed to providing food.

“It’s up to the students (what they cook) … ,” Bastedo said. “Luckily I’m not cooking anything.”

This event is exciting since it’s a great way to celebrate the many cultures and ethnicities here and help people get to know one another, he remarked. Residents usually look forward to this event; 200 tickets are printed and they are always sold out days in advance.

“It’s a good sign,” Bastedo added. “We really want to encourage new people to come. It’s a good deal. You get more than you pay for.”

Besides the food, there will also be entertainment in the form of dancing and singing. There will be different dance groups performing during the supper; six took part last year, a number Bastedo hopes to see again this year.

Silent auction items will be available on which to bid. Some sponsors that have committed so far include Last Mountain Distillery in Craven, Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and The Tunnels of Moose Jaw.

Bastedo agreed that the International Dinner is similar to Moose Jaw’s Motif or Regina’s Mosaic Festival since you can eat ethnic cuisine and learn about different cultures. Guests will line up to receive their food in a buffet line and can ask the cooks questions about what they’re serving.

Since 20 people presented food last year, Bastedo expects a similar number to offer delicious morsels this year. He exclaimed that it’s a great sight to see the immigrant community working side by side, from cooking their food in one location to serving it at the dinner.

There is still time to contact the MJMC and let the organization know you want to contribute a dish.

“We really want to show off all the cultures in the community,” added Bastedo.