A Cook-it-Yourself Dinner Party

By Sandy Hu

My friend from Alaska, Mary Deming Barber, was coming to San Francisco for a conference and I was looking forward to inviting her to dinner. Problem was, I myself was returning from another conference in St. Louis the night before our get-together. So, rather than cook for Mary, I invited her and four of her friends attending the conference to cook dinner with me.

I’d never done this before, but having such a large, open kitchen, it had always been my dream to host a cook-together party. I thought it would be really fun, a great icebreaker among new friends and less work. (Two of the three turned out to be true – guess which?)

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Easy Holiday Tips from the Georgia Governor’s Mansion

Holly Chute was expecting 1,000 people for cookies and cider last night. And with more guests over the next two weeks, she will be baking 20,000 this holiday season.

Holly is the Executive Chef of Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal. And Sunday was the tree lighting ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion, with cookies and hot and cold cider for all. Whether it’s for a large public function as this or an official state dinner, Holly knows a thing or two about entertaining.

She has cooked for royalty including Prince Philip and Princess Anne of the United Kingdom, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Hassan of Jordan; Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton; many governors; and entertainers like musician Joe Cocker and comedian Jeff Foxworthy.

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