A classic Persian dish that combines dry lime, saffron and turmeric was one of the highlights of the Taste of OSU and World Carnaval, held Friday at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center.

It was the creation of Iranian students, who have a long history of preparing tasty dishes.

“We participated four times and got the prize three out of four times and got the first place twice,” said Hamid Rismani-Yazdi, who is a doctoral student in food, agriculture and biological engineering. “Through our previous experience we knew that most people would love these dishes.”

The event brought together more than 5,000 people and featured delicious dishes from around the world, a dessert competition, a fashion show with an explosive rainbow of colors and a Japanese drumming show from Taiko Group of Dublin, Ohio that featured dazzling movement.

The word “Carnaval” was not spelled the traditional American way, but instead was written as it would be in countries such as Brazil or Portugal.

The different spelling is symbolic, said Kevin Harty, associate director of the Office of International Education.

“The word is used by many countries and because it is an international event, we didn’t want to use the traditional (English) spelling,” he said.

The Iranian Student and Scholar Association team won the best cultural cuisine and exhibition competition.

The 10-member team made four dishes and put together an educational display for its booth.

Nasim Nikoumanesh, a junior in optometry, said “beef stew with yellow split beans” was the best of the four dishes and the winning entry. It is flavored, she said, with a juicy combination of dry lime, saffron and turmeric as well as dried lemon, cinnamon and cayenne pepper.

The Carnaval was previously held at the Ohio Union, but was moved to RPAC this year because of the Union’s closure. A total of 34 student organizations were involved.

“I’m so happy to have more space than last year and we’ve got more than 4,000 people, including students, alumni, professors and many other people for the first two hours,” Harty said.

The first 500 people to arrive received a complimentary copy of the new “Taste of OSU International Cookbook.”

“Every country has their own food,” Harty said. “This cookbook and the event resulted in a lot of effort and creativity by lots of international students.”

Megan Lawther, an employee of the Office of International Education and coordinator of the group’s international students and scholars, called the event a success.

“It was an exceptionally popular and very inclusive event,” she said. “We have a reciprocal relationship (with international students)… We all have to recognize what a global community we have on campus.”

Yeon Hee Im can be reached at [email protected].