Week Three Takeaways

Here’s we learned at the Charleston Academy during the past week of Winter 2021 classes:

Besides spending time together, having fun, creating fabulous smells, getting dinner ready for tonight and tomorrow, we are also connecting kitchen to kitchen and making our worlds a friendlier place. Hang out with us to add sparkle and substance to your week. (Spots are still open for the last three weeks of winter semester — Register HERE!)

Lebanese Lentil Soup - The secret to making the soup extraordinary? 

Guest teacher Youmna Squalli says to always, always rinse the lentils and rice three times. I was a witness; the water ran clear the third time. This soup is light, fresh, fantastic. Next week Youmna takes us to Morocco for Hrira, a whole meal in a bowl!

Dinner Party Strategy - Are Covid dinner parties possible, even fun?

Why yes, they are! Last minute invitations are often the best. People who come are in the mood. Outside parties are cool, literally and figuratively. Consider buying a heated vest which charges on your pocket phone charger. Serve heart-warming food to keep bodies from cooling temperatures (i.e. dishes from Weeks One and Two: bowls of gumbo, cassoulet, onion soup or bolognese…or perhaps some from future classes: paella, tagine, chowder, shepherd's pie.)

Ragu Bolognese - How do you turn a fabulous sauce into pasta perfection? 

Toss the drained (best quality) pasta into the simmering ragu sauce. Then add just a little softened butter plus a little bit of freshly grated parmesan cheese. Toss together until mixed. Serve immediately with extra freshly grated cheese to pass. 

What are people saying about Week Three?

• Thank you for the Academy — I love your online classes and how you share your many talents. You’re a gem!

• These classes are a delight!

• I love these classes so much! I’m already in another Zoom — crazy day!

• My house smells amazing and cannot wait until 6 pm!!!

• What a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

• Thank you so much for today's dinner party class! Really fun and inspirational!

• I took two pages of notes. THANK YOU!

Dinner Parties, the Southern Charm Way

Southern Charm Season 3 premieres tonight!

On next week's episode, the Academy's very own Dean lends a hand to the fabulous Cameran Eubanks, a Mama Hen on the show, with her first ever at-home dinner party. Check out our guide, Cliff Notes to Cameran's Southern Charm Dinner Party, available to download directly from our site. Maybe your style matches hers, or maybe not… 

Entertaining at home is all about attitude, all yours. It’s not about rules, copycatting, or tremendous pressure. There is no one way to give a dinner party. The way to give unforgettable parties is to develop your own personal style and use it 100%. 

Are you a Nervous Nelly? Too many children to contend with, or hours slaving away at work? You need a plan that is streamlined and a menu to match. There is nothing wrong with ordering your city’s finest pizza, or serving grilled cheese sandwiches with craft beer, or even champagne; this shows spunk and creativity. 

Even foodies who love cooking, grilling, smoking, or pickling, might still need a guide to entertaining, lighting, setting the table, centerpiece arrangements, timing, organization. One thing is certain: nobody comes to a dinner party at anyone’s house, even the White House, for the food. It’s all about the company and connections. 

The Academy’s expertise is developing a plan that works for your life and style so you can give the best party on your block. And of course we are also geniuses with making a timeline that is positively foolproof. Purchase the Cliff Notes (for less than $3!) and relax at every one of your future dinner parties, just like Cameran and the Southern Charm crew.