Serving Emotions on a Plate: Taste of Emotions 2.0

The Department of Psychology, Assam Don Bosco University, successfully organized “Taste of Emotions – Food that Elevates the Mood 2.0” on 14th February 2025 at the ADBU Sonapur campus. Conducted as an initiative of the Peer Counselling Cell, the event creatively explored the powerful connection between food and human emotions.

The programme was inaugurated by Fr. (Dr.) James Chacko, Director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SoHSS) and Deputy Registrar, who highlighted the importance of understanding emotional well-being through everyday experiences like food.

Concept and Objective

Food is more than just nourishment it is deeply tied to our memories, moods, and emotional experiences. This event aimed to:

• Explore how different foods trigger emotions
• Promote emotional awareness through sensory experiences
• Encourage student participation in a creative and interactive format

Students from both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes actively participated by setting up themed food stalls, each representing a unique emotional connection.

Highlights of the Event

Creativity Through Stalls

A wide variety of innovative stalls were put up by students across semesters:

• Pop of Joy (BA 2nd Sem): Cake pops symbolizing happiness and nostalgia
• Exotic Emotions of Bhelpuri: Bringing out tangy, lively emotions
• R.E.S Momo & Pani Puri: Comfort street food linked with social bonding
• Glazed Candies: Sweet treats evoking excitement and curiosity
• Crave Cave (BA 4th Sem): A mix of crunchy and spicy items representing cravings and indulgence
• Gustopia: Focused on comfort and emotional healing, with items like chicken soup reminding us of care and warmth
• The Snack Instinct (BA 6th Sem): Refreshing drinks and snacks energizing mood
• Crave Cortex: Highlighting the psychology of cravings
• The Snacks Instinct: A fusion of flavors connecting taste and emotion
• BYOB Chips Store (MSc 2nd Sem): Customizable flavors reflecting personal emotional preferences
• Nokdang: Traditional flavors connecting culture and identity
• Sub-Lime Mind (MSc 4th Sem): Emphasizing mental clarity through citrus-based items
• Chaat & Cheer: Light, cheerful foods associated with joy and social interaction
• Blush and Berries: Aesthetic and mood-lifting treats

Learning Through Experience

Each stall went beyond selling food it told a story. Students explained how their items were linked to emotions such as:

• Joy and nostalgia
• Comfort and care
• Excitement and indulgence
• Calmness and mental clarity

This experiential approach made psychological concepts more relatable and engaging for participants and visitors alike.

Student Engagement and Atmosphere

The campus was filled with enthusiasm, creativity, and vibrant interactions. The event encouraged teamwork, communication, and innovation among students while also promoting peer bonding and emotional expression.

“Taste of Emotions 2.0” was not just a food fest it was a unique blend of psychology, creativity, and lived experiences. The event successfully highlighted how food influences mood and emotional well-being, reinforcing the importance of holistic mental health awareness.

It stood as a testament to the department’s commitment to innovative learning, peer engagement, and psychological awareness, leaving participants with meaningful insights and memorable experiences.