Seevic

Students were able to try new and exciting foods from around the world when the College Restaurant Menu was revamped as part of Diversity Week. The new menu included dishes inspired by different countries including Indian curry, Thai stir-fry, Greek Moussaka and Caribbean chicken.

SEEVC College Catering Manager Angie Hobbs said: “I chose recipes linking to various regions, incorporating different meats and vegetables, prepared and cooked in slightly different ways. Staff and students were offered free samples of the dishes to encourage them to try something that may be new to their tastes. The Caribbean chicken with pineapple and brown rice proved very popular.”

An Executive Chef from Unilever Solutions was also invited into the College to give students the opportunity to taste test new dishes that could be introduced onto the College Menu in the future. The Australian Chef Tory Hughes said: “To fit in with the Diversity Week theme the dishes we have created for the students to try are a Mexican Bean Soup, an Asian Noodle Salad and Strawberries and Cream.”

Student Jordan Greenaway, 18, from Canvey said: “I tried the soup and the strawberries. The soup was really nice, I have not had anything like it before but I really enjoyed it. It is definitely something that I would like to see on the College menu. Events like this are a good idea because people get the chance to try new things.”

Other activities for Diversity Week included a family recipe challenge where staff and students were asked to submit a family recipe with the chosen dish being served in the College restaurant. Staff and students were also asked to present a piece of creative writing or a photograph to represent what diversity means to them.

Head of Faculty for Learning Support Jill Whight said: “Diversity Week is about celebrating and raising awareness of equality and diversity issues. It is part of the College’s continual commitment to creating an inclusive environment.”

As part of this inclusive environment at SEEVIC College groups of students who are studying various subjects at the College joined up for some team-building activities, encouraging them to see things from each other’s point of view.

Student Charlotte Oliver-Bradley, who helped organise the activities said: “The activities were great fun and involved teamwork, communication skills, and trust. They promoted awareness of people’s differences and how even with those differences we can all still work together. Everyone had fun and the laughter and talking never stopped, even during silent tasks! A lot of students from both groups were asking to do it again, which shows that it was a success.

“This activity fitted in with Diversity Week, as it involved different people coming together to help each other and teach each other. Promoting awareness of diversity helps to stop bullying by teaching people that everybody is different and individuality should be celebrated.”