Following years of tradition, the much-awaited Food Festival Extravaganza, FoodFest 2018, organized by Interact District 3220, made a triumphant return to Kandy on May 12, at the Trinity College Junior Grounds. As the annual International Understanding Project of Interact District 3220, the event’s objective lies not simply in catering to the palate of the public, but also in enlightening all those involved as to the beauty in diversity.
“Food Fest is not simply a Food Festival; it’s a project which represents the unity and strength of Kandy Zone. I am extremely proud of the 12 clubs from Kandy who showed their interest and brought forward an afternoon to remember. Special thanks to Interact Club of D.S. Senanayake College for coming all the way and pulling off a great stall, proving that clubs are working hard to break barriers. Kudos to the Chairperson, Int. Imaad Zuwaid and the team for making it a fun afternoon filled with excitement and joy.”
DIR Int. PP Muhammed Awoon
District Interact Representative:
Interact District 3220
The event officially began with the Chief Guests of FoodFest 2018, Rtn. Paul Harris Fellow Mr & Mrs Nanda Bandaranaike and the Head Chef of The Golden Crown hotel, Kingsley walking the grounds, stopping to admire each stall and having a taste of the delicacies on display, before declaring the stalls open at 10.30 am.
By this time, crowds had already started arriving eager to taste the culinary journey they had been promised, and they exceeded the expectations of many with the sheer dedication they’ve put behind the dishes. In fact, Food Fest not only fulfilled that promise, but also allowed them to explore the traditions of the countries being represented, in the intricate decorations and arrangements of each stall, not to mention the costumes of the Interactors, which stayed true to each country’s unique culture.
Further enlightenment was offered in the introductions to each stall and country, made by representatives of the participating Interact Clubs, while entertainment was amply dished out in the Cultural Events performed by the Clubs; Sri Lanka staged the Kandyan Dance, the Swedish twirled at their masquerade ball while many other stalls put in a lot of effort in bringing out performances to entertain the masses.
“After months of anticipation and enthusiasm, after weeks of planning and days of hardwork, after countless sleepless nights – FoodFest is finally over. One of the biggest projects I have ever been a part of, one of the biggest excitements Interact has to offer.
What did I love best about it all? Was it the last-minute shopping? The late-night calls and the plans that kept changing every hour? It was more than that.
We were part of something much bigger than us, and we felt significant. We were not interacting merely with fellow Interactors, but with people from all over the country. The cultural events were spectacular. The stall decors were dazzling. We have big plans for the proceeds of our stall. But what I loved best about Food Fest?
The t-shirt!”
Int. Sharika Hafeez Director of International Understanding: The Interact Club of Badiuddin Mahmud Girls’ College
As the day progressed, the public reveled in their tour across the world from the French baguette to India’s vadai, Food Fest 2018 made sure the speakers continued blaring musical numbers from none other than DJ Amuthu himself. Sri Lanka’s famed Beat-Boxers “BLAZE” also added colour to the event with their performances, which did indeed rock the Hill Country. But Food Fest isn’t just about the entertainment and the appetite.
FoodFest is the perfect opportunity to provide some much-needed hindsight on certain cultures that originally might have felt alienated and out of place within our motherland. In a time where coexistence within the world is key for a better future, efforts put to diminish the cultural imbalance and distance within the world and Sri Lanka should be appreciated.
The goal of International Understanding plays a key part within FoodFest for that very reason. As Interacts goal of Rebuilding Service comes to play, so does the desire to give to our motherland and create a path for it to prosper.
“FoodFest was an absolute success this year exceeding everyone’s expectations. Every school created a whole new world inside their 10ft x 10ft canopy. The precise decorations elaborate cultural representations and the aroma of scrumptious cuisines tingling your nostrils was enough to lift the crowd up to cloud nine. From the decorations, to the signage, to the food items, everything was handmade by the club members adding a touch of love and care to the final product. This day was about expressing ourselves and getting as wild as our imaginations can take us. The biggest, the boldest and the most extraordinary stood out. For us Kandy Interactors, FoodFest was an experience. Through it, the Interactors of Kandy were able to prove ourselves a strong zone by breaking the barriers of social norm, evolving schoolish and racism, regardless of gender, school or age. The beauty of it was the interdependency of stalls and the connections and the bonds that grew stronger between clubs and individuals.”
Int. ThinaliRathnayake
President: The Interact Club of Mahamaya Girls’ College Kandy
The Clubs’ hard work did not go unrewarded, as prizes were distributed for the Best Dish to Pushpadana Girls’ College, while Hillwood College managed to cinch the prize for the Fourth Place in the Overall Championship, with Badiuddin Mahmud Girls’ College and St Anthony’s Girls’ College being awarded 3rd place and 2nd Place respectively in the Overall Championship, while Kingswood College, Kandy emerged the Champions while also being awarded for being the Most Supportive Club, as well as the performance of Best Cultural Event.
“Food Fest 2018 was undoubtedly one of the most entertaining International Understanding Projects organized by the Kandy Zone, and one that showcased the potential and efficiency of the Kandy Interact Clubs.
The project compelled the club members to research and understand the different cultures around the world and replicate them, thus satisfying requirements.
It was also great to see clubs from Colombo also taking part in this event, which was formerly only for the Kandy Interact Clubs, and I believe this also made certain that the bond between the zones stay strong.”
Int. Bilaal Marikar
President:
The Interact Club of Trinity College
All in all, FoodFest exceeded all standards of the past and ended up as one of the most culturally significant and enjoyable events to be part of the District Calendar. The efforts of all Interact Clubs in bringing alive an entire nations’ worth of cultural integrity within a single stall, was what ended up making the experience special within the hearts of everybody. The event reached massive scales as it set the bar higher for years to come. FoodFest 2018 was a huge success for the Interact movement as it greatly succeeded in its’ goal of bringing International Understanding closer to a reality within our beloved country.
Int. HaalaMarikar
Int. JameemaRafaideen
Int. ShazminaJawahir
Int. MuniraKhuzaima