MCC Celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month with A Taste of Asia Event

On Thursday, May 11, Middlesex Community College held A Taste of Asia event in celebration of Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage month. Hosted by MCC’s Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA), the Asian Students in Alliance (A.S.I.A.) Club shared a selection of dishes showcasing Asian cuisines.

“Asian cuisine is not just about taste, it is a profound expression of love, family and traditions that have been passed down through generations,” said Virak Uy, MCC’s Director of Asian American Student Advancement Program. “The fusion of flavors, aromas and spices reflects the diversity and history of the AANHPI community, highlighting the shared experiences and unique narratives of each culture. Our A.S.I.A. group invited the MCC community on a delectable journey that showcases the beauty, richness and cultural identity of Asian food.”

An international student from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Scarlett Ly is studying Business Administration at Middlesex. During the A Taste of Asia event, she made her favorite papaya salad. She believes the dish represents vibrant flavors, a unique taste and freshness.

“My experience at the event was fantastic and I received positive feedback on my papaya salad, which was very rewarding,” Ly said. “It was a great opportunity to connect with fellow food enthusiasts and share our culinary creations. The atmosphere was lively and filled with diverse Asian cuisines.”

Adam Tuy is an MCC Liberal Arts & Sciences major from Lowell. Calling it a “good time,” Tuy enjoyed being part of the event and found it to be relaxing going into finals week.

“I love being Asian and it felt enriching to be exposed to different Asian food,” Tuy said. “It was very nice to see our culture being spread to others who are not of Asian descent. I would love to see this within other cultures.”

Witnessing the students share their dishes with the MCC community – including MCC President Phil Sisson – was a heartwarming experience for Charly Chea, MCC’s Program Specialist of Asian American Student Advancement Program.

“The students of Asian descent proudly represented their culture by preparing, cooking and demonstrating traditional food they would enjoy with their family,” Chea said.

MCC’s Wellness & Retention Specialist for PAASA Jennifer Nguyen ran the A Taste of Asia event. The goal was to honor cultural heritage, foster cultural understanding, and represent the way food shapes cultural identities.

“I was really proud of the students who helped to make the A Taste of Asia successful because they worked really hard to demonstrate their traditional food with others who aren’t of Asian descent,” Nguyen said. “The students were full of pride and wanted everyone to taste their culture.”