40 Participants Cook Together at HAWK's "China" International Evening
In friendly conversations, participants filled pre-prepared dough cut-outs with meat or vegetarian fillings and folded them under the guidance of Chinese students, who introduced various levels of difficulty. What seemed straightforward turned out to be a tricky task requiring fine motor skills. Students had to pay close attention to getting the filling portion just right. If they used too much filling, it would ooze out while folding, risking the dumplings opening during cooking. Too little filling, however, compromised the flavour. Folding the dumplings also demanded a delicate touch to ensure they didn't fall apart.
While the dumplings cooked, participants from various countries engaged in intercultural exchanges and networking. Interesting conversations also unfolded while eating the dumplings together.
Another culinary and entertaining highlight was the preparation of traditional "Dao Xiao Mian." For this noodle dish, noodles are cut directly from the dough block into boiling water with a knife. Participants watched in amazement as the "noodle master" skilfully sliced thin dough strips into the pot from more than a metre away. The result was delicious.
Alongside hearty dishes, there were also Chinese sweets and other snacks. A Kahoot quiz tested participants' knowledge of Chinese culture, projecting questions onto the wall with participants responding on their smartphones. It was worth participating, as the top three places received prizes.
A subsequent Chinese dance performance created a lively atmosphere. Anyone interested could join in the dance steps and movements shown in a video. The international evening themed "China" ended with pleasant conversations and music, leaving participants to head home with full bellies and good spirits. The event was a great success, and more are already planned. For example, on Thursday, 5 December 2024, HAWK and the University of Hildesheim are jointly hosting an international Christmas party, to which all interested are warmly invited.
