Imagine a menu of dishes prepared by authentic chefs in the cuisines of India, Italy, China, the Philippines, Germany, Japan, Thailand, Bosnia, Mexico, France and Poland. Now picture their affordable prices, and you have an idea of the International Food Court during our annual Window on the World Celebration April 14.

Coordinated by Peggy Semmes and Melinda Anderson, along with her human ecology students, the Food Court will be in the Roaden University Center’s cafeteria for the duration of the festival. So you could enjoy both lunch and dinner there … or nibble throughout the afternoon.

One hot spot is a newcomer to WOW, Beethoven’s Bistro. Owners Kathee and Helmuth Koch opened this Austrian-German restaurant on west Broad last July. Chef Helmuth studied culinary arts seven years in his native Austria, becoming an executive chef at five-star hotels throughout Europe.

“We’ll bring bratwurst, sauerkraut and potato salad to the festival,” says Chef Helmuth, who’s been cooking for nearly 50 years, “and, of course, some of our famous desserts, like apple strudel and assorted mini-pastries.” His signature creation is Beethoven’s Torte, a confection layering chocolate cake, chocolate-hazelnut mousse and raspberry jam.

Other European treats include Bosnian spinach pie and baklava, Italian baked ziti and cannoli, French strawberry crepes and Polish sausage with potatoes. Asian flavors will come in the form of Japanese sushi, Filipino barbeque, Thai cuisine from Royal House, Chinese egg rolls, and Indian dishes from the north — Rama Chauhan’s almond burfi and paratha — and the south in Woodlands restaurant’s vegetarian specialties.

Next door to the International Food Court — in the RUC’s Tech Pride Room — is "Hands Around the World," a whirl of activities coordinated by Valerie Austin and her music and art education students. Craft tables will be set up to help you fashion Chinese monkey drums, Japanese bunraku puppets, Australian didgeridoos, Mexican maracas, Indian rubbings, French stained glass, African kufi hats and more.

After the making, children can enjoy using these crafts in workshops … in dance led by Deby Rossie at 1:20 p.m., in puppetry with Bruce Anderson at 2 p.m., in Chinese lion dance by Leroy Kautz at 3 p.m., and in didgeridoo playing from Alexis Pope at 4 p.m. A walk-through rain forest will be set up all afternoon for families to experience together.

Window on the World is an international festival celebrating cultural diversity and global harmony. All participants are invited to share in learning and caring about our Earth and its people.

This fun, free, family event takes place Saturday, April 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Roaden University Center. The symposium, “Global Climate Change: A Personal Call to Action,” is Friday, April 13, at 10:10 a.m. in the RUC’s Multipurpose Room.

For more information, please check the website. If you would like to participate, contact Katie Kumar or call 6197.