Evening Edge
What’s For Dinner?
Assignment:
UGA DINNER PARTY
Students' tips, recipes make the grade
What can college students teach us about preparing a meal for company?
More than you may think, as several young writers from the University of Georgia demonstrate in this package, the result of a class project in which they were challenged to write a how-to story on the theme "Your First Dinner Party."
Even if it's been awhile since you were on a college campus, or on your own for the first time, these yummy recipes are perfect for easy entertaining in any age group.
And you might even learn a lesson or two yourself from five of those students, when asked this question by instructor Krista Reese: What was the biggest challenge in throwing your first dinner party?"
— Susan Puckett |
Karlee Baumann, 22, from Decatur "The most difficult part to throwing a dinner party is finding a time when everyone can come. "Cooking is easy. Eating is even easier. However, getting in touch with ten girls who each have extremely different and ridiculously busy schedules is another story." • Karlee's recipe for Indoor Barbecue (Sloppy Joes)• Her how-to: 'Sister Dinner' |
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Taylor Dahl, 21, from Acworth "The biggest challenge for my first dinner party was common sense (case in point: metal in the microwave) and general time management issues. "I overcame the time management issues by listening to my mother and thinking logically about each dish. "As for the common sense part, well, I guess we all have to learn something new every day!" • Taylor's recipes for Corn Dip | Broccoli Casserole | Chocolate Poundcake• Her how-to: 'Countdown to Confidence' |
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Brittney Inman, 22, from Charleston, S.C. "My biggest challenge when throwing a dinner party is deciding upon the right amount of food to cook. "Not too much and not too little." • Brittney's recipe for Santa Fe Chili• Her how-to: 'Kitchen Intervention' |
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Rachel Jacques, 22, from Smyrna "The biggest challenge for me was trying to time the cooking. "I wanted to be finished with all the prep work before my guests arrived, but I also didn't want dinner to be totally finished. I thought I had it all figured out, but, of course, my guests were early. "I don't think they minded watching me chop, though. It gave them more time to drink wine!" • Rachel's recipe for Risotto With Garlic Shrimp and Sautéed Spinach• Her how-to: 'The Outfit Makes the Meal' |
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Kali Justus, 22, from Oxford, Ga. "I'm a perfectionist, so the biggest challenge for me was letting go of control over all the dishes and just letting things happen. "What helped was preparing my dish before my friends arrived and having everyone around to distract me from worrying over all the details." • Kali's recipe for Cranberry-and-Brie-stuffed Pork Tenderloin With Maple Mustard Glaze• Sister Destiny Justus' recipe for Italian Tomato Cheesy Bread • Kali's how-to: 'PJs and Type A's' |
• More recipes for sharing dinner with friends: What Can I Bring?
• What's for dinner? Search our recipe database or make dinner reservations