By Michelle CreanSpicy dishes and sweet treats were part of the experience in Killarney Community College as students took time out on Monday to celebrate a variety of different cultures.

RECIPE: Maya Basel and Reilly Scott representing South Africa during International Culture Day at Killarney Community College on Monday.

SECOND PLACE: Natalia Gunia from Poland came in second place for her pierogi dumplings during International Culture Day at Killarney Community College on Monday.

ENTRY: The Ukrainian food entry included recipes from Vova Kravchenko Valentyn Fedorenko Pauline Nesterenko and Nikita Kravchenko during International Culture Day at Killarney Community College on Monday.

The Modern Foreign Languages Department organised many events throughout the week but activity that took centre stage place was MasterChef for International Culture Day.

60 students from different countries took part by cooking dishes from their native countries. The judges had their work cut out for them but they finally agreed on a deserving winner.

First place went to Greece with a classic but simple Greek salad which was unbelievably well received by all. In second place was the Polish representatives who made mouth-watering pierogi dumplings while students from Germany produced a sweet cake from their own specific region and took third place.

First Year students got the opportunity to sample the food and learn about the dishes and cultures.

Stickers were worn on students' jumpers from European Day of Languages and allowed students to speak with other students from their country and make new friends.

"It's important to recognise and celebrate the ever-growing variety of different cultures within our society and our school setting," Principal Stella Loughnane said.

"These opportunities provide a great scope for our students to learn and have a better understanding of these cultures while creating a greater respect for everyone's backgrounds. I also got to taste a few of the dishes and even managed to snag a couple of recipes, they were that good."

BREWING UP

Meanwhile it was a feel-good morning last Thursday at the school as students and staff brewed up for the Kerry Hospice Foundation.

They enjoyed many delicious treats kindly donated by staff all for an amazing cause. The Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning in aid of Kerry Hospice raised a whopping €650, this will no doubt be put to great use in supporting people in difficult times. This charity has an extra special meaning for Killarney Community College as they have had members of staff, who in challenging times, were supported by this outstanding service.

Ms Loughnane commended the efforts of staff involved adding that it was such a worthwhile cause.

"The college was delighted to host this event to raise funds for Kerry Hospice who provide so much support to our community at times of need, it is so important to give a little back."