DWU chef brings home comfort with international cuisine

May 23—MITCHELL — Carl Plastow, director of Dining Services at Dakota Wesleyan University, is responsible for serving three meals a day to 900 students who hail from a host of different countries. His goal is to build community and lift the spirits of homesick students by learning their favorite dishes.

Dakota Wesleyan University students are able to indulge in diverse global flavors without the need for overseas travel. Thanks to Plastow, students can savor cuisine inspired by various cultures, right on campus.

Two years ago, college staff teamed up with Plastow to set up a display showing flags from the countries where Dakota Wesleyan students come from. Even though only 2.5% of the students are from other countries, visitors can see flags from places like Colombia, Brazil, Russia, Peru, Mongolia, Germany, Canada, Ireland, and England.

Plastow took the idea one step further. He decided to start serving special themed meals to honor the cultural backgrounds of DWU's international students.

"When I took my role as director dining services, my number one goal was to make life for students as comfortable as possible," Plastow said. "A lot of us have been students at one point and know what it is like to be somewhere new, somewhere away from your family and friends. It can get uncomfortable, and very hard at times."

Plastow said the school is helpful in connecting him with the students. Last school year, there were students from 17 different countries at the university, with students coming and going each year.

The themed meals are planned out at the beginning of each school year and are requested by the international students. Planning ahead is crucial, especially when a rare or unusual ingredient is needed. Plastow said that while most ingredients come from his vendors, sometimes he has to make a trip to Sioux Falls for more ethnic store options. Other times, Plastow resorts to the internet to find what he needs.

During international day, Plastow reserves a part of the cafeteria exclusively for the international meal. Diners have the opportunity to try the special meal as an additional option during lunchtime. Each day highlights a different country, with the possibility of featuring multiple students from that country. Each featured student has the chance to write a brief description about their homeland, including some historical context and popular dishes from their country.

"I really try to bring home to the students, that's what this is all about, making life comfortable to our customers, to our family," Plastow said. "This is even more true for our international students. I feel like they have an even harder time, with being in a different country, miles away from home, and home is about having the food you are used to."

The featured students choose a menu for Plastow, who tries to execute it as close as he can to the meals they enjoy back in their home countries.

Temuujin Natsagdorj, a student from Mongolia, thought that the guriltai shul, which is noodle soup and dumplings, was recreated quite impressively.

"These are staples in my country's cuisine," Natsagdorj said. "While nothing is ever quite the same as home, he came remarkably close to how my taste buds remember the meal."

Plastow emphasized the care and thought that goes into preparing dishes. He carefully researches the dish request, seeking a recipe in advance to make sure they are authentic and not Americanized.

To Natsagdorj, the themed meals provide students with the chance to experience a taste of home and create a welcoming atmosphere.

"The flavors were real and brought back a lot of memories, making the experience truly special," Natsagdorj said. "I feel like I got spoiled by DWU."

Being a part of international day gave Colombian student Juan David Gomez Nino something to look forward to.

"I wanted to be a part of this tradition to show the DWU community a little about my country and what kind of food we eat over there," Gomez Nino said. "I really like to see the reactions from my friends about food from different cultures because it is opening their tastes to something new. Some of them may like them, some may not, but it is awesome to see them trying something new."

According to Plastow, some of the most popular meals this past year were Mexican and Indian cuisine, specifically Indian and Asian curry and empanadas.

Besides any necessary food preparation, Plastow cooks the food for the first time right on the spot.

"I love the challenge," Plastow said. "What better way to challenge myself than to make international cuisine."

Fredel Thomas, vice president of admissions and marketing at DWU, noted that the concept of serving food from around the world has gone over well with both students and employees.

"Carl's themed international meals have been a real hit here on campus," Thomas said. "To see the international student's faces light up when it is their opportunity to share something from their culture is a highlight for everyone on campus. And it always tastes really good!"

The student reactions make the extra effort worthwhile for Plastow.

"Who would have thought that these days would be the most anticipated days at DWU," Plastow said. "It's one day and it's amazing how that one day can make them feel like they are right at home."