Few things bring people together like food: a good meal has a unique power to tell a story and connect us to something larger than ourselves. Student Association BRIDGE (Belonging, Responsibility, Inclusivity, Diversity, Grounded in Equity) and our dining team are leaning into that idea with Culinary Crossroads, a new initiative dedicated to nurturing cultural connections, one meal at a time.

Members of BRIDGE collaborated with cultural clubs on campus to bring firsthand knowledge of their traditions, and together they researched dishes that meaningfully represent their heritage. BRIDGE then brings that shortlist to the dining team, who determine which dishes can be recreated at scale. "It's truly a moment for our team to explore dishes that we might not have sought out on our own," says Zach Chambers, director of dining and events. "It drives excitement and pushes us to delve into the idea of cultural identity on campus. 

That collaboration has already produced some memorable meals this year — chicken tikka masala for Diwali and South Asian Heritage Month on October 20 and smoked wild salmon and rice for Native American Heritage Month on November 5. BRIDGE has now enlisted the expertise of the Black Student Union to celebrate Black History Month this February, curating a menu that represents Black American history and culture, including fried catfish, collard greens, and cornbread. And coming up in April, they will celebrate Armenian Heritage Month.

"I felt overjoyed being allowed to share my culture through food," said Jaycee Sullivan '26, BSU president. These are the kinds of moments Culinary Crossroads was designed to create. Every dish is an invitation to sit down and see a little of yourself or someone else on the plate.