On Friday, October 31st, 2025, the FIPDes students and staff came together for the annual International Lunch at AgroParisTech. This year’s edition was extra special, as we were joined by students from other Erasmus Mundus programmes like Bioceb and PRIAM/EMABG, bringing even more diversity to the table. Around 60 people gathered at La Canopée, the rooftop of Building A, for an afternoon filled with food, laughter, and cultural exchange.

Sharing Stories and Flavours

The lunch began with everyone introducing their dish, explaining its origin and cultural meaning. The introductions were a perfect way to start the meal, turning the event into a true culinary journey around the world.
Sofia brought her homemade tiramisu — smooth, rich, and gone within minutes. The classic Italian dessert was an instant hit, leaving just empty trays and a lot of satisfied smiles.

From Ecuador came Sango de Camarón, a flavourful shrimp and peanut stew made with green plantain — rich, aromatic, and deeply comforting.

Representing Spain came torrijas, slices of sweet fried bread coated in cinnamon and sugar — a comforting classic often compared to French toast.

I (David) brought a Swedish classic — meatballs with mashed potatoes, creamy sauce, pickled cucumbers, and lingonberry jam. Simple, comforting, and gone pretty fast!

Zack brought fresh boba pearls for bubble tea — chewy, sweet, and surprisingly addictive.

Andrea and Ximena brought conchas, pan de muerto, and corn bread — served with chocolate atole. Sweet, comforting, and full of authentic Mexican flavour.

Monesh, Sarah, and Shahanas showed up prepared — with a whole container of Malai Chicken Biryani! Creamy, flavourful, and clearly a hit since not a grain was left.

Final Thoughts

As the afternoon went on, the rooftop filled with conversation and laughter. Students, teachers, and staff sat together sharing stories, exchanging recipes, and discovering how the same ingredients can mean completely different things across cultures. The tables slowly cleared, but no one seemed eager to leave — people stayed chatting, taking photos, and enjoying the calm end to a busy week.
The International Lunch wrapped up just as it should: with everyone smiling, comfortably full, and already talking about what to bring next time. It perfectly captured the spirit of FIPDes — connecting people from all over the world through food, curiosity, and good company.