by Ameenah Azeez ’25

Versatility and variety are abundant in Latin cuisine; every spice, every ingredient, and every recipe passed down for generations is uniquely and passionately made. Food is an ode to the richness of Latin History, and the Latin Food Tasting Festival this Saturday provided a look into that vibrant history. 

The interior of Hollis was completely transformed – the music, the scents, and the decorations made the place burst with life. Ruth Stortz, a member of the Hispanic Student Union, notes the significance of food as “a way to dive into each other’s cultures to learn about and try the food from different countries.” That entirely captured the essence of the Festival, a wide assortment of meals from different countries were available: empanadas, tostadas, arroz con pollo, Rosa de Jamaica, arroz chaufa, flan, morocho, Tres leches, and Peruvian cookies were available, which was the most extensive variety they’d had in the Festival’s two years.

The sheer amount of planning and passion radiated through the room; present were faculty and students serving enthusiastically, and flashy signs with the names of the foods with fun facts about Latin Culture and History, keeping students both educated and entertained. This complimented what HSU member, Mia Jones, wanted people to take from the experience: “Not every Latin country is the same.” 

Stony Brook students supported the cause by appearing in droves to experience new tastes and flavors; student involvement this year was through the roof thanks to the efforts of the Hispanic Student Union and the faculty. Moreover, involvement wasn’t only limited to the Hispanic student body. A plethora of different people contributed by assisting in preparing meals or setting up.
Amidst Hispanic Heritage Month, it is important to recognize and appreciate how food is the bridge that connects people not only to their ancestry but their identity as well. Mia Jones perfectly encapsulates the description of food as “A daily thing. Depending on where you’re from and what your family does, food holds a lot of significance.” Food is closely tied to the essence of so many people’s backgrounds, entire cultures, and stories can be communicated simply through a selection of spices, and the Latin food-tasting festival was truly an appreciation of this craft.

---