Norwich — Platters, crock pots and bowls filled with dishes from all corners of the world were crammed onto every inch of available space on the buffet table at St. Mary's Church hall Tuesday.

“There are 30 more dishes in the kitchen, and the table is full,” said Cheryl Egan, coordinator of Norwich Adult Education English for Speakers of Other Languages program.

The banquet hall was no different, with barely an unclaimed seat and more than 150 adult education students and invited guests from the Norwich Board of Education, school administration and the region's technical consultant from the state Department of Education.

Students took cellphone photos of the crammed undisturbed banquet table before the double lines of diners dug into both familiar and unfamiliar delicacies.

The 14th annual Norwich Adult Education Fall Festival and Multicultural Brunch is Thanksgiving two days early, international style.

Students bring their favorite dishes from their home countries, while the adult education program staff provides a turkey, stuffing, squash, mashed potatoes and gravy and a few other traditional American dishes.

Bernardo Lobos' tray of Guatemalan chicken spiced tamales proved to be one favorite. Hetal Patel, originally from India, brought a tray of samosa — potato pastries with Indian spices and wheat wraps. And Jon Carol Rodriguez recommended his roasted pork shoulder, a Mexican favorite, he said.

“We usually do the whole pork,” he said, broad smile and arms spread to indicate the size of the beast.

Omayra Alvalle, originally from Puerto Rico, made her favorite Spanish rice, saying it is eaten “all the time” in her homeland.

“And her food is very good,” classmate Lawonda Gaston said as she passed by with her plate mounded high. Gaston contributed a Jamaican curried chicken dish.

Norwich Board of Education member Joyce Werden was disappointed that her plate was filled up before she got halfway down the buffet line. Werden, who said she likes spicy food, was nonetheless surprised that “normal” looking coleslaw had quite a bite to it. Called piklis, it's a Haitian-style coleslaw.

“This is fabulous,” said Valerie Marino, state Department of Education regional education consultant whose region includes the Norwich school system. This was Marino's second time attending the fall festival. “Norwich does an absolutely fabulous job with its Adult Education program. It's that extra step they take — like this festival — that makes a difference.”

The Thanksgiving theme was evident in more than the food, as students took turns at the podium during “open mic” to express their gratitude for the second chance the adult education program gave them.

Bo Wang, originally from China, came to Norwich Adult Education in 2006 speaking no English and having no high school credits. She dropped out when she had a daughter, but came back and got her high school diploma.

Kemisha Reynolds, 29, never finished high school in Jamaica and admitted it was “so rough for me” to finish. She urged fellow classmates to stick with school and get their diplomas.

“I have two jobs, two kids, full time,” she said.

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday