Arts Council offers global dining experience

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Charles City’s citizens of the world ventured to Elk’s Lodge on Saturday, April 22, to enjoy a range of recipes from around the globe as the Charles City Arts Council presented its Global Café dinner.

“It was amazing. We had a great turnout,” said Arts Council President Elissa Ellis.

More than a dozen members of the Arts Council volunteered to prepare a variety of regional snacks, entrees, and desserts from recipes from around the world. With 20 dishes from 14 countries to try, guests were able to expand their pallets with an opportunity to try everything from Bulgarian Banitsa to Laos Larb.

The range of options encouraged diners to take chances and sample things they may otherwise pass on.

“People got to try things they were afraid of,” said Arts Council Vice-President Robert Mulcahy.

This is the third time that the Arts Council has put on a Global Café, which serves as a major fundraiser to support the Charles City Arts Center.

With roughly 50 people of all ages attending, the event was seen as a big success. Funds raised from the dinner will go toward general expenses and future upgrades to the Arts Center.

The Global Café is a bi-annual event for the Arts Center and the group is looking forward to putting it on again later this year with a new selection of international dishes to serve.

“We hope people will like it enough that they come back again,” said Mulcahy.