The world languages department at Pelham Memorial High School hosted an international dinner Nov. 7 after a six year hiatus, with students from Italian, French, Mandarin and Spanish classes bringing a dish representing the different languages’ cultures or their own.

“I was absolutely thrilled to have the international dinner come back after six years as there was a generation of students who were not exposed to it,” Spanish teacher Angela Calvelli said. “It was a lot of work for the language department. All the feedback has been positive from students, and they shared amazing photos.”

French teacher Ariadne Lividitas said the food “was all delicious. I have loved the international dinner for many years, and it was nice to celebrate the diversity of languages and see all the students there.”

For entertainment, the teachers organized a Kahoot with fun facts from each culture. The winners received gift cards for businesses across Pelham, including Villaggio Ristorante and Pizzeria and JCafe. The Spanish Club and French Club performed Shakira’s “Waka Waka” and “Amour Plastique” by Adèle Castillon and Mattyeux, respectively.

“The dinner has been a tradition in Pelham for many years,” said Italian teacher Christina Prignano. “It’s our way of bringing together all cultures in Pelham by celebrating beloved dishes to share. When we share food, we share parts of ourselves with other people.”

After the entertainment, students grabbed a sweet treat to close out the night.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the event, particularly the various dishes that were provided,” said Aiden Roman, a Spanish student.