Welcome to Our Table!
When I think about my favorite traditions, most involve gathering around the table. Whether it’s a holiday celebration or a simple dinner with friends, sharing a meal creates opportunities for connection. The table becomes more than just a place to eat—it becomes a space where stories are exchanged, relationships deepen, and community is built.
Maya Angelou once said, “When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you’re inviting a person into your life.”
There is a deep vulnerability in hospitality, and it requires courage. You’re not just welcoming someone into your home; you’re inviting them into your story, saying, “You matter. I want to know you. I want you to know me.” That kind of invitation tears down walls. It opens the door to relationship and understanding. It can turn strangers into friends.
In the context of community—especially one as beautifully diverse as ICS—it’s a powerful reminder that every time we gather and share a meal, we’re building something greater. We’re creating belonging. We’re making space for one another.
This has been central to fostering our Beloved Community since ICS first opened its doors over 20 years ago. With students representing over 60 nationalities and speaking 31 languages, food is a bridge and a language we all understand. For many of our students and families, gathering around the table offers a sense of home, even when home may be far away.
That’s why every year, during our United Nations Day celebration, we host an international potluck. Families come together to share their traditional dishes, transforming our school into a culinary world tour. We’ve enjoyed a creamy lentil stew from Ethiopia, sampled dumplings from Afghanistan, and discovered delicious recipes from every corner of the globe.
That’s why every year, during our United Nations Day celebration, we host an international potluck. Families come together to share their traditional dishes, transforming our school into a culinary world tour. We’ve enjoyed a creamy lentil stew from Ethiopia, sampled dumplings from Afghanistan, and discovered delicious recipes from every corner of the globe.
Now, we’re excited to extend that tradition beyond our school walls through our first-ever ICS cookbook! Around Our Table is a collection of family recipes and traditions shared by members of our community. Each recipe is a doorway into a culture, an opportunity to experience the flavors and stories that make ICS unique.
From beloved comfort foods to festive holiday dishes, the pages of this cookbook reflect the incredible diversity of our school community. You’ll also find highlights of local businesses, including those owned by ICS families. And the best part? Proceeds from the cookbook go directly toward supporting ICS’s mission and programs.
By joining us around our table, we hope to bring a piece of our community to your kitchen and foster the same connection and warmth that fills our classrooms every day. Whether you’re recreating a dish you’ve tried before or exploring something entirely new, may your kitchen become a space where stories are shared, laughter echoes, and hearts are nourished.
By joining us around our table, we hope to bring a piece of our community to your kitchen and foster the same connection and warmth that fills our classrooms every day.
Preorder your copy today, and gather Around Our Table.
Visit icscookbook.com to order yours, with options for soft cover and digital versions, or bundle and get both!
Fran Carroll, ICS Executive Director, brings to ICS over 15 years of leadership and management experience in the for-profit and non-profit arena. For the last 3 years, Fran has served as the HR Manager, Interim Business Manager and most recently Director of Operations & Finance at ICS. In her spare time, when not spending time with her family, you can find Fran involved in the entrepreneurship arena in the Metro Atlanta area. She graduated from the Start:ME Southside Cohort in 2018 through Emory’s Goizuetta Business School. She loves entrepreneurship! In the past 3 years she has brought a lot of the entrepreneurial spirit to ICS. In 2020 she was listed as one of 11 parents who are making a difference!