GREENFIELD — An estimated 150 to 200 people walked through the doors of Greenfield High School on Tuesday to learn about the literal flavor provided by various walks of life.
The school hosted the 30th annual Taste of World Cultures, with a lineup of performances that followed a buffet-style meal made possible by donations from 18 area restaurants.
“This is our 30th year doing this. I’ve been in all of them,” said Spanish teacher Tara Cloutier. “We have to find the performers. We work with our students on getting them to perform. Our students are performing as well. We have to contact all the local restaurants.”
Cloutier noted that for the first 25 years of Taste of World Cultures, students made the food with their families, but that changed amid more recent food safety regulations.
“And so, we are really dependent on the generosity of the restaurants,” she added.
The event also used to be held at Greenfield Middle School.
“Thirty years ago it was a lot different,” she recalled.
Cloutier mentioned the Taste of World Cultures event is held in March because it is World Language Month across the United States.
Greenfield High School students load up plates of food donated by local restaurants at the 30th annual Taste of World Cultures event at the school Tuesday evening. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo 
Greenfield High School students enjoy ethnic dishes donated by local restaurants at the 30th annual Taste of World Cultures event at the school Tuesday evening. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo 
Greenfield High School students enjoy ethnic dishes donated by local restaurants at the 30th annual Taste of World Cultures event at the school Tuesday evening. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo 
Greenfield High School French students perform traditional folk songs from Quebec and France at the 30th annual Taste of World Cultures event at the school Tuesday evening. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo 
Greenfield High School French students participate in a drum circle directed by Ammaya Dance & Drum at the 30th annual Taste of World Cultures event at the school Tuesday evening. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo
People opted to eat either on the bleachers or at tables set up for the event. The music and dance program included high school Spanish students singing and dancing to “Café Con Leche” by rapper Pitbull and “NUEVAYoL” by Bad Bunny, French students performing various songs, and an African drumming showcase and workshop by Ammaya Dance & Drum. The program ended with the popular international fashion show.
“A lot goes into planning an event like this, and I think that Tara and I are a great team. We work really well together,” French teacher Anna Hartmann said. “She kind of spearheads more the food and donations side of it, and I spearhead more the performance side of it, because that’s sort of where our natural interests lie.”
Scott Jablon, also a Spanish teacher, was tasked with greeting guests at the door and inviting them to help themselves to the buffet before dining in the gymnasium, where various international flags were taped to the walls.
“I always love seeing community come together, and this is the heart of my personal ethos — who we should be as a community,” he said. “Bringing people in, having people share their food and music and all sorts of stuff. It’s awesome. I love it.”