What is that mouth-watering, succulent smell wafting through the lobby from the cafeteria towards us? As I walk through the cafeteria I can’t help but notice all the different cultures, and I can’t help but wonder why we aren’t surrounded by this every day. Is it the aroma of boiled fish, or could it be those tender sausages from England or the lovely plantains from Nigeria? Hmm...what about the scrumptious Pad Thai or perhaps the appetizing boiled fish and mashed potatoes from Iceland? As you can see, the options are endless. What would you choose?

As I walk past the Nigerian counter, I see my grandmother making my favorite dish, jollof rice mixed with plantains, and I can’t help but reminisce about the days when all I was surrounded by was the food of my culture, food from my country. I see Christy looking through the Asian foods, such as noodles and spicy meats and fish. What is it about food that triggers a sense of nostalgia? We, third culture kids, can’t help but be surrounded by food not only from our own culture, but from others as well. Being children of World Bank, IMF and IDB staffers, we are exposed to traditional foods from various cultural cuisines even in the cafeterias at the work place.

Throughout the DC Metro area too, one can find and indulge in not only the local traditional foods, but also the traditional foods from other countries. Generally in the US, there are many options for savoring one’s own ethnic dishes. As a haven for different cultural foods, the DC area in particular has a variety of options, whether you are in the mood for Ethiopian food, traditional Peruvian food, or authentic Indian food. If you don’t fancy going out to eat, making your own homemade ethnic dish is a viable option, thanks to the abundance of ingredients at local grocery stores. Also, a variety of restaurants can be found throughout the DC metropolitan area. Areas such as the Woodley Park/Adams Morgan have an assortment of ethnic foods eateries. In addition, there is an array of specialty food shops and grocery stores that have areas designated for the international cuisine. There are also fairs and markets designated for the expansion of your food palette, and to give you a taste of different cultural dishes.

Living in the U.S., one is exposed to many different cultures, not only through people but also through our foods. There are many different options of ethnic foods at different restaurants but you can also make varied culinary dishes at home with your family. Even though one may be from Thailand/Mauritius, you are still given the option of experiencing a whole different culture through food!

Is it not so true that although our cultures are so different, food brings all different types of people together!

By Christy Buranaamorn, Isi Izevbigie, Elizabeth Kingdom, Elsa Axelsdottir

This issue brings you our second Teen Summer Program article, which extols the cultural diversity of food that is found both at the Bank Cafeteria and throughout Washington DC. It is refreshing to discover that some of our Teens are as passionate and clued-up about food as we are. Food is an eternal theme and very often at WBFN we hear, “I discovered a terrific food store where they sell...” A group of our members led by Vim Maguire also periodically reviews restaurants in the area for Mosaic, and we even ran a series on Ethnic Foods.
For all you who are food faddists, this article is a must read. For those who are more than faddists, you need to dig up those old issues of Mosaic or go online to MOSAICplus (www.wbfn.org). And for all who want more than just reading about food, try out the suggestions and give some thought to the food festivals that are coming up in the DC Metro Area! (For tickets and more info, visit dc.about.com)