“On a stick.”

That was the tasty theme of the 13th annual Taste of Mānoa at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Campus Center Courtyard Thursday, October 11, and it did not disappoint.

“The food is delicious, and I am glad to see how many people have turned out,” said UH Mānoa graduate student Minara Mordecai. “So far, itʻs been the chicken satay but I have only tried two dishes so I am excited to try all of them.”

An estimated 600 students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends enjoyed a menu made up of delicious dishes—beef meatball and vegetable kabob, corn cob, Thai chicken satay, shrimp tempura, smoked pork bulgogi skewers and chocolate-covered bacon–on a stick. The sumptuous dishes were all created by the chefs of Mānoa Dining Services.

“My favorite dish is probably the tempura,” said UH Mānoa student Owen Chan. “I think this is a really successful event. You get a taste of different cultures and food. I am a senior so itʻs probably my last time. I have been to it the past four years and I really like it.”

More than 2,000 dishes were served at the popular annual event, presented by the UH Mānoa Campus Center Board Activities Council ( CCBAC ) in partnership with Mānoa Dining Services. The goal was to get the UH Mānoa ʻohana more engaged through food.

“This offers students and community members an inexpensive meal without compromising the quality of the food,” said Lexy Dennis, the CCBAC chair who organized the event with co-lead and fellow UH Mānoa student Jordan Higuera. “Taste of Mānoa is also a platform for student performers to present their music to their peers and the public in a safe environment.”