EDMOND—The 13 junior and senior women of Herbert W. Armstrong College hosted a dinner at the John Amos Field House on December 13 that showcased what they have learned this semester in Basic Food Study. The women, led by home economics instructor Deborah Leap, invited 24 guests, consisting of junior and senior men, a freshman and faculty members. The theme for this semester’s dinner was Indian, which was reflected in the decorations, the music, the food and even the clothing.

Mrs. Leap said that Basic Food Study students “learn basic food preparation with an emphasis on nutritional, aesthetic and economical aspects” through lectures and lab instruction.

The meal included onion and spinach pakoras, curry hummus, samosa, mulligatawny soup, Indian cumin-spiced spinach salad with cumin vinaigrette, asparagus with shredded coconut, roasted cauliflower, jasmine rice, coconut curry rice, butter chicken, beef vindaloo, chai tea lattes, sparkling grape juice, lemon sorbet and coconut ladoos. Each dish was prepared by a pair or trio of students from among seniors Erica Irwin, Victoria Lancaster, Victoria Terrell, Jordanya Rouzer, Danielle Underwood, Anya Trietsch, Brooke Davis, Elyssia Lancaster, and juniors Jennifer Schlote, Rachel Culpepper, Paris Turgeon, Maree Tolis and Emma Smithies.

Junior Jennifer Schlote served as assistant hostess to senior Erica Irwin and helped prepare the salad, vindaloo and dessert. She said her responsibility was “completely focused on the people you are serving: will they have enough food and drinks, will they enjoy these flavors, are they going to like the food, is Mr. Burns going to be able to survive with all the spicy food?”

“It was a really neat experience,” senior Victoria Lancaster said, “because it allowed us to explore a different culture through our food, music, and decorations.”

“[T]he young ladies created a warm, inviting atmosphere through the decorations and provided delicious, well-prepared food,” Mrs. Leap said. “They all worked well together and put in a great amount of effort. They will all receive a good grade for this!”