ENJJPT offers "smorgasbord" of cuisine at Around the World Celebration

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing, Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Charlotte Sorensen adjusts her "bunad" before offering up another helping of "lefse."

Behind her, a projection screen flashes landscape scenery: the Sunnmřre mountains frosted with snow; planes flying through a blue, cloudy sky; the city of Oslo bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

Before her, a sea of people swarm the small area, wandering to and from the various tables lining the walls. Each wall is draped with a different set of posters, displaying the same breathtaking landscapes from across the globe as the projection screen. Every table is laden with its own unique offerings of main courses, snacks, and desserts.

The Around the World Celebration at the Sheppard Club Feb. 24 had something for everyone. The event, sponsored by the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Flying Training Program, exhibited the cultures of each respective participating nation with food samples, volunteers dressed in their country's native clothing and information about each country available at each table.

"This is my third year working here. I always come to taste all these different foods," said Ms. Sorensen, a military dependent representing Norway. Again she smoothed down her "bunad," or dress, while the plate holding the "lefse," rolled, buttery pastries sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, steadily emptied.

The numerous tables, representing Italy, Holland, Turkey, Spain and the United States among others, boasted everything from schnitzel and goulasch from Germany, to wild rice stew from Canada, to "bacalhan espiritual" - spiritual cod fish - from Portugal.

"I always get my husband to make a plate for us to take home, there's just so much great stuff here," said Betsy O'Connor, spouse of Lt. Col. William "Brad" O'Connor of the 80th Flying Training Wing, scooping out heaping spoonfuls of beans and barbecued shredded beef to represent American cuisine. "My favorite from last year was the Belgian mousse," she said wistfully.

"It's good that I can offer a bit of my country, teach someone about our culture and have it so well received," said Capt. Bruno Fernandes, a member of the 89th Flying Training Squadron, and a Portugal native.

Five-hundred-fifty tickets were sold for the event at $5 each, with stragglers still arriving on the night of the event hoping to purchase entrance at the door.

The Around the World Celebration kicked off at 6p.m., and didn't end until the last people, their bellies full, departed late into the night.