A night of food, storytelling and connection in Shaunavon

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Shaunavon Standard

An evening gathering at the Grand Coteau Centre on Friday, March 27, featured the perfect blend for a successful event: good food, good company, and good entertainment. Billed as a “Cultural Mosaic Concert:  An Evening of Story & Song,” the event lived up to its promise.

The gathering was highlighted by an appearance by Wilbur Sargunaraj, an international musician, storyteller, and speaker, who has become a regular visitor to Shaunavon. Wilbur is perhaps best known for his advocacy of Cultural Intelligence, which is the ability to function and manage effectively in culturally diverse situations. He has written a book, “Exploring CQ,” where he uses insightful and humorous stories from his travels to explore cultural values and the subtleties of unconscious bias.

The evening’s culinary offerings were also a major draw, with a Global Appetizer Buffet showcasing a diverse array of flavours from around the world. The buffet featured a wide range of delicacies, including East Asian specialties like Ramen noodles, Kimchi, Turtle Chips, Dorayaki, Boba tea, and dumplings.  Guests could also sample South and Southeast Asian delights, like Shahi paneer, Gobi 65, and Puto cheese. European cuisine was represented by dishes like Ajvar and Tablet from the UK and Balkans, as well as salmon pate and herring in tomato sauce. African specialties like smoked mandala fish and Droewors were also available, along with ginger beer from the Caribbean.

The pièce de résistance perhaps, or at least one that drew the most conversation, was the introduction of dehydrated insects, a delicacy that can be found in many different cultures.

“It was such an amazing evening and really was a journey of discovery,”

said Tammy Willman, program coordinator at the Grand Coteau Centre. “We learned how to increase our cultural intelligence through curiosity, respect, making connections, and creating relationships. Those in attendance were able to sample food, and many even tried the more unusual treats.”

“Conversations with several attendees revealed that the evening was refreshing and inspiring, featuring delicious and unique cultural foods,” said Mary Scott of Shaunavon Economic Development and Innovation. “Wilbur provided a fun and engaging evening filled with entertaining stories and interactive songs that spurred thoughtful conversation and deeper cultural insights. This made for a memorable evening that guests hope to experience again in the future.”

The event was made possible through a partnership between the Southwest Saskatchewan Immigration Partnership and the Town of Shaunavon Economic Development & Innovation. The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan was also acknowledged for its funding support.

Among the locals providing samples were Conways Restaurant (dumplings) and Hester and Gerhard Venter (Droewors).

Staff from the Shaunavon Library, Grand Coteau Centre, and EDC & Innovation were on hand to provide assistance during the event.

Limited spaces were available to the event, with about 30 people attending the gathering.