As five o’clock grew nearer, the smell of foods– from the Polish pierogi dumplings to the South Indian curry known as Sambar– wafted through the gates of The Bishop’s School. The school’s annual global potluck, held on September 27th, was an event in which people came together to share and celebrate different heritages by bringing dishes that represent their culture. By the time the event was in full swing, there were over 90 dishes and representation for dozens of different cultures.
As guests arrived, they were greeted by parent volunteers who gave them stickers and a raffle ticket, before motioning for them to make their way over to the terrace, which was decorated with banners of flags. The food was set up in a buffet-like fashion, organized by the dish’s country of origin and placed on tables that wrapped around the exterior of the dining area.
Chatter and music filled the air as people eagerly lined up to try foods both new or familiar. But before everyone could dive into the buffet, Religion and Ethics teacher, Dr. David Moseley, who organized the potluck, took a minute to thank those who contributed to bringing the event to life and to say bon appetit.
Dr. Moseley commented, “Sitting down and eating together… sharing a meal… is such a fundamental aspect of our common humanity.” Whether it’s a family dinner or a school event, this simple act builds new connections and strengthens pre-existing ones, transcending cultural and social barriers.
“I love how much pride people take in the food of their country,” Dean of Students, Mrs. Michelle Shea said, as she described an earlier interaction she had with a mother, who enthusiastically asked her to try the food she’d brought. Not only do the dishes send us home with full and satisfied stomachs, the dishes themselves help tell people’s stories and allow communities to learn more about other countries’ histories. “It offers a kind of a dimension to education that is not purely academic,” said Mr. Ben Lila (James Lila ‘28).
The Global Potluck is a longstanding Bishop’s tradition, and in 2009, the responsibility of hosting the dinner was given to the Global Education Initiative, which was started by Dr. Moseley, former History and Social Science teacher, Max Robinson, and Malcolm Aste. Over the years, they’ve helped the event grow into what it is today- from developing themes that enhance the atmosphere to introducing a trivia game to induce some friendly competition.
And let’s not forget the students! Though the event is organized by the Global Education Initiative and run by parent volunteers, many participated in various roles to further improve the overall experience. Some crafted table centerpieces that showcased harvest festivals from around the world, whereas others took to the stage, giving the audience a glimpse of their culture through their performances.
Leela Vaidya (‘31) played the sitar, an original Indian instrument. Before she started, Dr. Moseley kindly asked everyone to refrain from eating or drinking during the performance due to its religious significance.
“It’s also just out of respect for the performers so they’re not distracted or talking during the dance,” Sanjeevni Vaidya (‘28) explained. Following the 6th grader’s performance was a taekwondo showcase, presented by Leia Park (‘30), her little sister, and Cole Fetter (‘30). The duo of Leia and Cole started with a salute, before showing off their kicks, jumps, and punches.
Afterwards, dancers from Meenal’s Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA), Sanjeevni Vaidya (‘28), Sumedha Mishra, and Aarohi Sathe performed a kathak- a form of classic Indian dance. Before their performance Sanjeevni gave a short speech about the meaning behind the dance and its connection to the monsoon season, where they receive lots of rainfall. The dance illustrates the gratitude people felt for the end of the hot and arid season. Ghungroos, little bells the dancers wear around their ankles, are used to “emphasize footwork… [and] are used to enhance it,” explained Sanjeevni, “It’s kind of like an instrument also. The footwork techniques mimic the rain.” The bells invite us to open up our minds and truly appreciate the deeper meanings in cultural traditions and the stories they tell. And just as the ghungroos enhance the dance, a shared meal enhances our connections remind us of the richness
As the night comes to end, everyone heads back through the gates with full stomachs and the memory of a night sharing cultures and learning about others. The Annual Global Potluck was a success yet again, continuing to bring people together through food. “It resonates with our values and ideals of being welcoming and inclusive, opening up hospitality to one another,” Dr. Moseley explained. “We’re making room at the table for everyone.”
