Global Campus canteen takeovers

Friday 27 October: Day of the Dead Canteen Takeover

Enjoy some Mexican food as we celebrate Dia de los muertos, a joyful period of remembrance celebrated across Mexico.

Rather than mourning their dead loved ones, Mexican families gather to remember them with love and laughter. Ofrendas (altars) are covered with the deceased person's favourite food and drinks, with the hope that their spirit will visit and hear the prayers and well wishes being said for them. Pillows and blankets are also left near tombstones, so the spirits visiting can rest after their long journey from the afterlife. Calaveras, or skulls, have been associated with the celebrations for hundreds of years. A particular skeleton in a huge flowered hat, called Catrina, has become a symbol of the holiday. People paint their faces and don their fanciest outfits as they take to the streets to celebrate with noisy, colourful parades.

Week of November 6th: De-stress Fest, food for health

As part of our Global Campus university wide De-Stress Fest, the Canteen is offering healthy alternatives to help you feel your best self. 

There is an art to mindful eating. Here are our top tips. 

• Slow down, Easting too fast stops your body knowing when it is full!
• Know your hunger signals? Are you eating for hunger or because of an emotional trigger? Choose what you eat accordingly. 
• Connect with your food. Think about where it comes from and understand how lucky you are to receive it. 
• Eat with meaning. Try not to eat whilst working or scrolling on your phone. enjoy your food, enjoy the taste and enjoy having a break from everything else!

Thursday 23 November: Thanksgiving Canteen Takeover

Thanksgiving dinner is the be all and end all in the grand old US of A. So today enjoy some festive food in our canteen as the holiday season begins! The American holiday of Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year and gives families a chance to gather and remember everything they are grateful for.

Did you know, the USA consumes more food on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year? A traditional Thanksgiving meal includes turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce - not far from a British Christmas dinner! The main course can also have sweet elements, like the popular sweet potato and marshmallow casserole.

Christmas Canteen Takeover (date to be confirmed)

Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas! Celebrate before the end of term with a delicious (and very British) Christmas dinner. We'll be enjoying some of the 9 million turkeys consumed in the UK every December, as well as all the classic sides including roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, parsnips and Brussels sprouts.

Thursday 25 January: Burns Night Canteen Takeover

Enjoy some Scottish food as we celebrate Burns Night! Burns suppers have been held in Scotland every year since 1801. The celebration commemorates the life of Robert Burns, Scotland's famous farmer turned poet who wrote 'Auld Lang Syne' and 'Address to a Haggis'.

Burns loved a party, so a traditional Burns Supper involves lots of eating, drinking and humorous speeches in his honour. The main meal consists of haggis, neeps (mashed swede) and tatties (mashed potatoes).

33% of American tourists to Scotland think the haggis is a small, furry mammal, a myth that is enthusiastically maintained by Scottish people with a good sense of humour! In fact, haggis is a savoury dish made from lamb offal, onion, oatmeal and spices. It has a rich, meaty flavour - give it a try!

Friday 9 February: Lunar New Year Canteen Takeover

It's time to eat some delicious Asian food to celebrate Lunar New Year! Across East Asia, families and friends gather to celebrate with fireworks, parades and banquets. In China, everyone wears red, the colour of joy and happiness. Orange fruits, like tangerines and kumquats, are given as gifts because their golden colour symbolises prosperity.

Certain foods are highly symbolic for the New Year, such as noodles, which symbolise longevity, dumplings, which symbolise wealth (the more you eat, the wealthier you'll be in the new year) and round rice balls, which symbolise reunion and being together.

Tuesday February 13th

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day) is a day in February or March preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in many countries by consuming pancakes. 

Pancake Day is traditionally the last chance for a spot of indulgence before 40 days of fasting, and also an opportunity to use up food that couldn't be eaten during Lent, such as eggs, fat and milk - the perfect recipe for pancakes!

Today, many people still give up something for 40 days, such as chocolate or less healthy habits such as smoking or drinking. 

Wednesday 10 April: Eid Canteen Takeover

Eid Mubarak! Eid marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long dawn to sunset fast followed by Muslims around the world. After so long fasting, Eid is a chance to celebrate with a sumptuous meal, so head to the Dining Hall to enjoy a traditional treat. Eid is a time for prayer and reflection, but also for celebrating with friends and family!

Tuesday May 13th

International Burger Day is celebrated on May 28 annually. Burgers are one of the most popular foods globally and with many reasons! They are fast to make, cheap to make and most importantly really tasty. Even a bad one is normally good in some way! Formerly considered inferior to prime slices, ground beef was considered a cheap byproduct but is now popularly used for hamburgers. Burgers have grown to international fame with different toppings, condiments, and variations.