WELDON — Wednesday morning, Esther Rosner tasted collard greens for the first time. She tempted her palate with three types of collards at the International Day and Food Tasting at the Centre on the campus of Halifax Community College.

Jacqueline Hough | The Daily Herald William Barber, left, gives Stacy Phillips a sample of a barbecued pig prepared by Melvin Pender for the International Day and Food Tasting at Halifax Community College Wednesday. Advertisement

Her verdict — “They are very tasty.”

A native of Missouri and vendor who helps out at the college bookstore, Rosner said she enjoyed attending the event and tasting the different foods.

In its third year, the International Day and Food Tasting had various students, faculty, staff, businesses and volunteers bringing dishes such as pizza, jerk chicken and barbecue to share with others for $2 a plate.

It was part of the college’s Black History Month activities.

Doris Garner, associate bookstore manager, brought homemade banana pudding made from her mother’s recipe.

“It has been in the family for years,” she said. “I don’t use instant pudding. I make my own pudding.” As she talked, she was eating from a plate with samples of the various dishes.

“I think it’s great. We have lots of food and it’s delicious,” Garner said.

Joy Clippard, associate manager of the bookstore, admitted the Cherry Dump Cake was homemade but not by her.

“My husband made it,” Clippard said. “I don’t think it’s an old recipe but it’s an easy recipe.” She added the food tasting is one of the best events the college does.

“There is a lot of fellowship and a lot of food,” she said.

Camaraderie was what Bernard Washington and those at his table enjoyed along with the food.

“It’s delicious,” said Washington, director of admissions and recruitment services at HCC. “It’s taking us back to our roots. It is nice to hear people talk about family recipes.” One dish he enjoyed was a Kenyan dish, Supu ya Kuku (sue-poo ya coo-coo). It is a chicken stew that has chicken, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, Kenyan spices and water.

“It is an opportunity to try something different,” he said. “Something you don’t eat everyday.” When asked if he had a favorite, he replied, “They are all my favorites.” Kenneth Jones prepared the Supu ya Kuku along with Ugali (oo-gah-lee) a type of bread and Sukuma Wiki (sue-coo-ma we-ke), a dish made with collards, tomatoes and onions. His wife is from Kenya and he wanted to expose people to Kenyan cooking.

“Most everything can be brought in the grocery store here,” he said.

“People are trying everything.” He had sheets of paper with the names of the dishes plus their ingredients in front of the dishes.

“So folks could see what exactly is in there,” he said.

Haydee Vives brought a pot of Puerto Rican Mondango. This dish is comprised of macaroni, potatoes, Spanish seasonings, pork, beef and tomato sauce.

Vives said her dish was popular. “I had 48 cups but they are gone. So now I am putting it in something else,” she said. “I wanted people to sample Puerto Rican food.” It was Vives first time participating in the event and she hoped to come back next year. She said she enjoyed all of the food she sampled.

“Everything is delicious,” she said. “It is a wonderful event. More people should come out and participate.” “Delicious” was how Gail Walker described her experience at the event.

“This was a good idea because it allowed people to network while eating,” said Walker, center manager for the Choanoke Area Development Association Community Services Center in Halifax County. “I enjoyed it.” Other upcoming events for Black History Month at HCC include the Student Government Association holding a Black History Quiz Bowl from noon-2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the 100 Building, Room 108.

A “Week of Service” will feature the North Carolina Missions of Mercy’s (NC MOM) free adult dental clinic at The Centre, Feb. 19-20. NC MOM is an affiliate program of the N.C. Dental Society. Treatment will be provided from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. Registration begins at 6 a.m. each day. Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

The “Saluting Our Local African American Heroes” event will be held at noon, Thursday, Feb. 25.

For more information on Black History Month events, call 252-536-7234, 252-536-7239 and 252-538-4319 or visit www.halifaxcc.edu.