Go Around the World with KIC’s Cooking Class

Minnesota State students got a taste of the world at the Kearney International Center’s Global Cooking Class on Friday in the Wiecking Center.

Hosted in collaboration with the International Student Association and other student organizations, the event gave participants a hands-on opportunity to learn and prepare dishes from Korean, Mediterranean and Japanese cuisines.

Attendees prepared Korean beef and rice, fattoush salad and oyakodon, a Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl. The event emphasized not only culinary skills but also the cultural significance behind each dish.

“I was excited to increase my knowledge of global cuisines,” Ariah Oelfke said, a participant who has always been passionate about exploring and experimenting with foods from different cultures.

“It was fascinating to see students from different backgrounds come together and bond over something as simple as food,” Oelfke said.

Oelfke said she was tasked with preparing the fattoush salad, a Levantine dish made with fresh vegetables, pita bread, and a vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, and pomegranate molasses. She explained the salad reflects Levantine traditions of hospitality and resourcefulness, using seasonal ingredients to minimize waste and often served during Ramadan to break the fast.

The Korean beef and rice dish, also known as Hanwoo, carries cultural importance as a wcelebratory meal, with rice symbolizing the heart of Korean cuisine. Oyakodon, which translates to “parent and child,” represents a Japanese meal that has evolved as a fast and affordable dish for everyday dining.

“The Korean dish reminded me of a childhood meal my grandmother made,” Oelfke said. “It was comforting and flavorful. The fattoush salad was refreshing with a nice crunch and bright, sweet tart notes.”

In addition to cooking, the class offered tips on reading food labels, meal prepping and cost saving strategies, skills that participants said will help both personally and professionally. For Oelfke, who hopes to work in a food test kitchen, the class provided insight into how food connects people across cultures and the importance of understanding culinary traditions.

“The class inspired me to try meal prepping, which can save time and money,” she said. “It also gave me a deeper appreciation for how recipes reflect culture and create community.”

The Kearney International Center regularly hosts events like the Global Cooking Class to celebrate cultural diversity and help students feel home on campus. Students interested in upcoming events or newsletters can contact international@mnsu.edu for more information.

Kearney International Center held a Global Cooking Class in Wiecking Center where students were able to prepare a dish and learn it’s cultural significance. (Troy Yang/The Reporter)

Write to Mary.schottler@mnsu.edu

Go Around the World with KIC’s Cooking Class

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