There are some challenges during the start: not all the available pans are suitable for the culinary plans. With only one good pan, there is some stress among the chefs, Nathan Dupas explains. He’s a member of the weekend committee at Cosmos. But then soon enough a guest with a plastic bag comes in, containing, yes, a pan. And shortly after, a mysterious cyclist stops by with another pan, after which he immediately disappears again. The kitchen is back to running at full speed. And for the better, because many hungry students have gathered around the kitchen island by then.

Prior to this event, students were already encouraged to share their favorite pancake recipe on Facebook. Some of the most popular recipes are prepared during the event. There is a choice of a Russian, French and American pancake. Or just all of them, as most visitors nod in agreement.

From Russia with love

Dupas represents his origin with a delicious recipe for a real French pancake: a savory galette. With a small proviso as he could not find the black wheat flour from the recipe. The Russian pancake comes with a clear decoration instruction: sour cream and caviar on top. Caviar? Yes, caviar. "We put caviar on everything," Russian student Anna Serysheva grins. Your editor and photographer try the French pancake with cheese and eggs. A taste of Burgundian pleasure that is also approved without black wheat flour.

Eating pancakes = happiness, as we learn listening to some students chatting. As soon as the pancakes move from pan to plate, conversations are being paused. First things first: you get yourself a nice warm pancake. Bárbara Dias looks with pleasure at her pancake with cheese (see main picture). In her home country Brazil, the pancake is used more as a fully filled complete meal. But these variations make her smile as well.

Here comes the sun

The turnout is good. Right from the start at 11:00, the Common Room is already quite full. Cosmos is ‘the guilty party’ here. The members see each other as family and therefore always try to be at the organized events, Dias says. But everyone is welcome and the nationalities of the visitors are very diverse. Cosmos' reason for this event - the day after National Pancake Day in the Netherlands, by the way - is to celebrate spring. "And a pancake symbolizes the sun!", Serysheva adds cheerfully. Also not unimportant in a country where people often complain about the weather. Many different cultures, traditions and tastes, but everyone loves pancakes. That much is clear.