Around the World Member Appreciation Dinner

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

This allowed the club to have members talk with our J1 students on a personal level. This also opened up or menu to more exotic or "out of the norm" food. This pushes the back of the house, allows the chefs some creative choices, and generates a buzz in the membership which leads to an increase number of diners on a typically slow night of the week.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The focus on creating this dinner was to give the members a more direct and personal chance to meet, talk, and engage with the J1 students here at the club. The members are able to talk to front of the house J1 students but not necessarily the back of the house. We wanted them to get a chance to find out about the students, their culture, and the food from their countries. We got all the J1's together and helped them select one to two dishes they wanted to present. We ordered all the necessary ingredients and gave them all access to the kitchen to prep, on a closed/slow kitchen day. The chefs helped with preparation and plate presentation. When it came to serving we set up a multi table buffet style dinner. This allowed all the J1's to be next to/serve their dish. We did the dinner on a slower night of the week. The members absolutely loved this idea. They got to talk to the J1 students, find out about the student lives, why they are here, why they chose their dish to prepare, and make actual connections with them. The members requested we do this twice a year and every time we have new J1 students.