Saint Leo Students gathered on the steps of La Teresita before feasting up a storm!
In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated during September 15 to October 15. During this time, people recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the group’s heritage and culture. Here at Saint Leo, students, as well as members of the faculty, definitely enjoyed celebrating at this month’s Food for Thought outing.
Each month, a Saint Leo University faculty or staff member hosts a dinner at an exquisite restaurant. This provides a new and exciting way for students to socialize, expand their palate, and actively engage in acculturation. This month, Peter Marian, professor of international tourism and hospitality management hosted dinner at La Teresita, which is a Cuban restaurant located on Columbus Drive, in Tampa, Florida.
Since 1993, La Teresita has been serving thousands of people every week. According to its website, the restaurant “has been honored to host and serve Presidents of the United States, governors, senators, mayors, city workers, and peoples and cultures from all walks of life. They all enjoy the world famous ‘La Teresita’ food and traditions.”
The students thoroughly enjoyed their time there, as the food and service were excellent.
Joey Gilbert, a senior, who is majoring in hospitality management and international tourism shared his thoughts on the overall experience.
“I highly enjoyed my meal. It was my first Food for Thought experience, and I was aware of it through my professor, Peter Marian, who is also in charge of the International Tourism Club. As a Hispanic myself, I felt that the restaurant really embodied Hispanic heritage from the food to music to decor. The one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the students not being able to communicate well with the servers whose first language isn’t English, but other than that it is a restaurant I would highly recommend to others,” said Gilbert.
Katriel Grant-Hope a junior, majoring in sociology and minoring in music, also shared similar sentiments about her evening spent at La Teresita.
“It was great to have the opportunity to eat at a well-known Tampa restaurant and make
The menu had so many delicious meals and treats.
new friends. The food was incredible and it was a bonus to feast at a respected Cuban restaurant in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month!” she said.
Adding to the tasty cuisine, and vibrant atmosphere of the restaurant was the ability for students to interact and socialize with members of the faculty in a new realm. This undoubtedly fostered a good sense of community, and everyone was able to get to know each other a little bit more.
“Peter Marian and John Heather were wonderful company and conversationalists. Be that I am outside of their department, I learned quite a lot,” said Grant-Hope
Adrianna Pierre, a freshman and biology major, also enjoyed this aspect of Food for Thought.
“I’m really happy I decided to buy the ticket and come to this event. It was a good experience to come here and socialize with so many different students from our community, as well as professors. This was my first Food for Thought event, and it was absolutely amazing. I would definitely come back here if another opportunity were presented. I also enjoyed the friendly, hospitable environment, and the lovely background music that played throughout the night.”
Students are encouraged to be on the lookout for upcoming Food for Thought events. Tickets can be purchased on www.saintleotickets.com.
