'Above all things, hold firmly to love' the message from EIT cultural event

Hundreds of people gathered at the EIT's annual Taste of Cultures. Photo/ Supplied

A short vigil to remember the victims of Christchurch's mosque shootings opened EIT's annual Taste of Cultures event.

The event, on Wednesday, proved to be a popular one with hundreds of people flocking to it to get a taste of the fresh street food available.

The event featured 21 stalls, 14 run by EIT's diploma in culinary art students, six from local restaurants and a food truck that sold Brazilian street food.

EIT marketing director Brenda Chapman said the event attracted "double" the number of people it normally would because of the vigil.

"EIT has been running the Taste of Cultures event for 15 years and this year was definitely more popular because of the vigil (for the victims of Christchurch mosque shootings)."

The school will gift $500 from the proceeds of the food sold at their stalls to the victims of the mosque attacks.

Head of the School of Tourism and Hospitality, Glenn Fulcher was wowed by the overwhelming response.

"What an awesome audience.

"It's a great chance for our cookery students to prepare for large numbers in a commercial environment, then set up and serve to hundreds of customers under real industry pressure."

Chapman said the focus of this year's event was "happier together", the theme of International Day of Happiness.

"(It's about) focusing of what we have in common, rather than what divides us.

"Being so, the Taste of Cultures event was an opportunity for everyone to embrace and acknowledge the diversity of the campus and to celebrate the richness of many nationalities and religions that are represented at EIT.

"Above all things, hold firmly to love," is the message that was spread at the event.

Apart from gifting $500 to the shooting victims, EIT also has a "wall of messages of support", for the victims.

"Our chaplaincy service will gather them and send them to Christchurch on Friday."