On November 28th, Bruce Taher and the rest of BSM’s Taher staff made paella, a traditional Spanish dish. This large dish was featured in the middle of the lunch room and attracted much attention. Overall, the paella received raving reviews from the staff and student body.
Bruce Taher loves to come into his clients’ schools on a regular basis, normally bringing a featured dish with him. This time, he and his staff decided on “paella,” a rice dish originally from the Valencian community of Spain. One of the best known Spanish cuisine dishes, paella is typically seasoned with spicy meats, tender-crisp beans, and saffron scented rice. Paella is regarded as one of the Spanish community’s most identifying symbols, and is seen as a comfort food to many Spaniards. Because of paella’s importance in Spain, the Taher staff believed it was essential to introduce it to the BSM community. “It is fun to bring some of those [dishes] as part of the cultural discussion, to share with the students a little bit about where it comes from, and what’s in it. And frankly, to say thank you,” Taher CEO Bruce Taher said.
Altogether, students enjoyed the paella to a great extent. Most students have never tried or even heard of paella before, giving them a chance to try something completely foreign. Because of the outstanding reviews from the student body, many believe paella should be added to the regular lunch menu. “I didn’t really know what paella was, and I turned out really liking it,” junior Claudia Williamson said.
Although serving the paella can be seen as a simple act by the Taher staff, the implementation of it can be seen in a broader lens, as it expands students’ idea of culture as a whole. Being introduced to new things specifically helps high school students grasp the world and different cultures around them. This act can especially give thanks to BSM students coming from a Spanish background. Knowing that your school is able to represent your culture can provide comfort, making it a more safe and accepting place. “I think it’s important to understand, I mean, this is obviously something that is important to the Spanish culture, so I think it’s nice to be able to partake in it and see how they celebrate it,” assistant principal Michael Kautzman said.