Harvard University Dining celebrates culinary diversity at Inauguration of 30th President

Harvard welcomed Claudine Gay as its 30th President at the end of September, and Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) made a special effort to showcase the college community’s diversity at various celebratory events.

Gay is just the second woman to lead the Cambridge, Mass. university and the first person of color. Her Haitian heritage inspired several of the menu items served over the two days of festivities.

The celebration began on Thursday evening, Sept. 28, when HUDS’ Crimson Catering transformed Annenberg Dining Hall, a venue for first-year students, into a lounge-style setting. Attendees were treated to a range of desserts and beverages, including an espresso bar and chocolate fountains surrounded by dippers of fruit, sweets and salty treats. The dessert lineup included mini pies like Boston Cream—a local favorite—and Haitian Orange Cake. Vegan coconut candy called Tablet Kokoye, also boasting Haitian roots, was served, too.

Haitian Orange Cake was offered on the dessert spread in honor of President Gay's heritage.

Following President Gay’s Inauguration ceremony on the afternoon of Sept. 29, the celebratory spread in Harvard’s new Yard featured international stations that reflected the university’s diverse culinary influences. Among the dishes were Mediterranean pumpkin kofta, Caribbean plantains, Thai fresh vegetable spring rolls, Spanish beef empanadas and a variety of other global bites.

That evening, there was a Haitian-themed dinner at HUDS’ residential dining halls and assorted operations for the Harvard student community. The menu included Tchaka (Haitian black bean and corn casserole), Poule en Sauce (Haitian stewed chicken) and Diri Djondjon (Haitian black mushroom rice.)

The menus and events were coordinated by HUDS’ managing director, Smitha Haneef, director for catering Kyle Ronayne, and director for culinary operations Martin Breslin. Dining team members from across campus assisted with the cooking, prep, set-up and serving.

“It was demonstrative to me of the care our President took to make sure this celebration was for our whole community, not just her,” said Haneef in a statement. “The Inauguration took coordination by dozens of colleagues from across our campus, including within HUDS. We jumped into this planning with deep care and excitement because we believe so heartily in our new President. It was a special moment for this community.”