The Heersink School of Medicine transformed the UAB North Pavilion Atrium into a vibrant celebration of global traditions on February 6, 2025, during the Cultural Connections Food Fair. From the moment guests arrived, they were immersed in sights, smells, and sounds from around the globe, setting the tone for an evening of celebration, unity, and joy.
As attendees stepped into the atrium, they were greeted by world music from the band Geni Skendo & The Astronauts of Albania, featuring Geni Smith on the flute and band members on amplified violin, guitar, electric bass, and drums. Comparable to a bustling New York city bazaar or a food fair in the streets of Tokyo, the atrium was packed with guests eager to visit the 28 beautifully decorated tables, each highlighting a culture unique to their department. Many participants wore traditional attire at their tables, and one group added a playful twist by donning colorful capes in the spirit of their theme, Super Spud.
Although the event officially began at 4:30 p.m., the excitement was so high that attendees started arriving early—and once inside, they stayed. An estimated 300 guests filled the venue, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and connection that lasted until closing at 6:00 p.m.
A taste of victory: announcing the winners of the 2025 Cultural Connections Food Fair
Beyond serving as a time for connection and celebration, the event also featured a friendly competition, with departments vying for the title of Best Table. A panel of judges, including members of the Dean’s leadership team, evaluated each table based on flavor, presentation, creativity, and design.
After tallying the scores, we are excited to announce the winners of the 2025 Cultural Connections Food Fair. The competition was incredibly close, as every table brought creativity, cultural pride, and outstanding flavors to the event. Because of this, there were ties for first and third place. In addition, we decided to recognize exceptional efforts in two specific judging criteria: presentation and flavor.
Congratulations to our Best Table Winners!
First Place (Tie)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology
Second Place
- Department of Pediatrics
Third Place (Four-way Tie)
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Department of Emergency Medicine
- Department of Family & Community Medicine
- Department of Surgery
Honorable Mention — Best Presentation (Tie)
- Department of Microbiology
- Department of Neurology
Honorable Mention — Best Flavor
- Department of OB/GYN
The first, second, and third-place department winners will receive a cash prize to fund a team lunch in recognition of the individuals who made their tables truly stand out and helped make the event a success.
The Heersink School of Medicine extends its heartfelt thanks to every department that contributed to this extraordinary evening, uniting people through food, music, and culture. We also extend a special thank you to the many guests who made this event unforgettable.
If this year’s turnout is any indication, next year’s Cultural Connections Food Fair is bound to be even more exciting—we can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2026!