On Thursday May 15, 2014, the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics of the Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) celebrated its eleventh Festival of Traditional Cuisine, entitled “The Monarchies of Europe”.

Ms. Zeina Debs, Assistant to the Director of the Department, inaugurated the Festival and explained that each team, composed of second year students, had to choose a country, prepare its traditional platters alongside a work of art: dance, music or song. The chosen European Monarchies were: Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, Norway, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Sweden.

Dr. Joane Matta, Head of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, stated that this event has become of custom at USEK, and said: “Our students studied the nutritional value of the different foods and meticulously prepared dishes related to each national cuisine, which goes in line with the vision of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.”

Dr. Lara Hanna Wakim, Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences stated that she considered this annual event a real success story and added: “They say that cooking is making love visible… They also say that a recipe does not have a spirit, but each person brings a spirit into a recipe; you, dear students, gave this festival a spirit.”