Cow Hill Hall International Food Festival
Flavours That Brought Cow Hill Hall Together
The community is still buzzing after a hugely successful evening of international flavours and cultural connection at the Cow Hill Hall International Food Tasting event, which took place on 15 January. Around 60 people attended on the night, completely filling the space and creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly reflected the spirit of the project.
What began as a simple idea—bringing people together through food—quickly turned into a memorable celebration of diversity, creativity and shared experience. With 35 participants casting their votes, we’re delighted to announce the winning dishes:
1st place: Iraqi Bean Stew – 21 votes
2nd & 3rd place (joint): Korean Bibimbap and Bulgarian Banitsa – 16 votes each
Although three dishes were officially crowned as winners, there was one clear outcome everyone could agree on: not a single tasting portion was left by the end of the night. A true testament to the quality of the food—and the enthusiasm of those attending.
What truly made the event special was the diversity in the room. The dishes represented the cultural heritage of six different countries, while those tasting and voting came from British, Polish, Nigerian, Indian, Latvian and Bulgarian backgrounds. For many attendees, the evening was about more than food; it was an opportunity to explore new cultures, exchange stories and connect with people they might not otherwise have met. Feedback highlighted how meaningful it felt to experience culture in such an open, relaxed and inclusive setting.
The event also received strong praise for its organisation. Many participants commented on how well run the evening was and expressed a desire to see more international food displays and cultural activities taking place across Lochaber. Ideas like this were widely seen as a welcome and exciting way to shape future activities in the new Cow Hill Hall, helping to build a shared community identity ahead of the building’s opening.
The event was made possible thanks to the Intensive Capacity Building grant provided by Highlands and Islands Third Sector Interface, alongside the active support and guidance of Voluntary Action Lochaber. Their contribution has been instrumental in turning community ideas into real, meaningful activity.
A huge thank you also goes to UHI Fort William for hosting the event, and to the students who rose to the challenge of cooking entirely new recipes. Their talent, enthusiasm and warmth helped everyone feel at home—no matter how far they were from their own.
Importantly, this evening marked more than a successful event. By creating shared experiences and cultural stories now, we are building the identity of Cow Hill Hall before the building itself exists. When the long-awaited opening day arrives, it will already be backed by real memories, connections and a strong sense of belonging.