Hope you're hungry, Seasiders! The Annual Food Fest is back again.
What started out only as a means for clubs to raise money for their activities has turned into an annual celebration of food, culture, and community. Whether you are a new student or a soon-to-be graduate, this event – the second largest event of the year after culture night- is sure to tantalize taste buds, strengthen bonds, and highlight cultures from different parts of the world. This is one of the Student Leadership & Service's (SLS) major events that garners a huge crowd from campus, the local community, and nearby towns. Jacquie Alisa, who is the coordinator of club leadership and accounting, gave an insight into why this event is special.
"What makes this event truly special is that these students aren't professional chefs. They're cooking the foods they grew up with—the dishes their families made back home," shares Alisa, "Through this, they get to share a part of who they are. Visitors taste not just food, but stories and traditions from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and other parts of the world."
Preparation
Food Fest is a great event where clubs can utilize their creative capabilities, as well as practice their leadership skills. Over 30 cultural clubs prepare early in the semester for this event, from planning menus and organizing committees to budgeting and ensuring everything is up to health standards. Wade Tai, a student from Utah majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, works as a club leadership supervisor with SLS. He shared some insight into the behind-the-scenes preparation.
"Behind the scenes, our team at SLS divides responsibilities into specific stewardships. For me, I oversee equipment—everything from cooking tools to reefer trucks and communication with Banyan Dining Hall," Utai shares, "We also handle logistics like booth maps and safety coordination."
For the SLS team, planning begins way back in early summer; this gives the department ample time to plan strategies and methods to make sure that everything at the Food Fest event runs smoothly. Transparency and communication are key when handling such a huge project.
"Of course, things don't always go as planned. Food Fest takes a lot of work and flexibility. Sometimes equipment falls through or schedules change at the last minute, and we have to adjust quickly. That's why we meet every week as a team—to communicate, refine plans, and address any challenges before they grow," Utai added.
A Spiritual Flavor
Food Fest is an event that brings students from different cultural, academic, and social backgrounds together in unity and a spirit of collaboration and joy. For the clubs, it's going to be hard work, but their love for food and for the people that they share outweighs the worries. They learn, grow, and mold into the leaders they are meant to be, echoing the mission of BYU–Hawaii.
"We also want every club to feel included. Whether they're cultural, sports, or special interest clubs, we encourage all of them to participate," Utai added, "Food has this incredible power to bring people together, and we do our best to make sure everyone has the opportunity to share a part of their identity through it."
One of the main goals of SLS is for students to gain a sense of confidence and preparedness. Ultimately, the idea is that through this experience, students learn that Christ is at the center of it all. Leadership and preparation are ways to become more like Him—patient, humble, and service-minded.
Intentions and Expectations
With dozens of clubs and a variety of options to choose from, SLS hopes that students make an effort to try something new and support the clubs that they are a part of. There will be music, great company, and food so good it will put smiles on people's faces.
As the date draws nearer, Food Fest becomes more than just an event—it's a living expression of what makes BYU–Hawaii special. The laughter, the aroma of cultural dishes, and the colorful displays of culture remind us that unity and service can be found in the simplest moments—like sharing a meal. Whether students come to support their club, discover new flavors, or just enjoy the company of friends, Food Fest is a reminder that we are one ohana, strengthened by diversity and united by faith.
For more information about Food Fest, visit their website.