Get the edge on etiquette at Career Services dinner event Oct. 29

by Lauren Dye, posted Oct. 27, 2009

Which drink glass is yours? Which silverware do you use? How do you properly cut a salad?

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Career Services staff will be hosting an etiquette dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 in Eckles Café. This workshop is designed to discuss proper business dinner behavior.

“The dinner is just that: a four-course dinner with instruction by Chef Jett,” said Stephanie Chipman, director of CAFNR Career Services. “Many employers take candidates out at some point during the selection process for a meal.  The goal of this program is to help our students feel comfortable in this situation.”

Chipman believes students will walk away from the etiquette dinner with a better understanding of how to handle themselves in professional dinner settings.

“Questions like when and how to tip, what to order and how to know when to stop/start eating, and what utensils should be used when and how will be covered,” Chipman said. “Knowing what to do helps to impress the employer, but it also makes the candidate more confident. Confidence is a clear advantage to any job candidate.”

Leslie Jett, executive chef and resident instructor of CAFNR’s hotel and restaurant management program, will be instructing students on the proper meal etiquette and what should and should not be mentioned at the dinner table.

Becky Schneider, professional development assistant, thinks students will gain a sense of confidence by learning proper dinner etiquette.

“When you attend leadership conferences, such as AFA, there is a banquet that students attend,” Schneider said. “As an undergraduate it can be intimidating to sit at a table with business professionals. The etiquette dinner helps students become more confident in these situations and allows them to enjoy the opportunity instead of worrying about what they should or shouldn’t be doing.”

The etiquette dinner costs $20 per student. For more information contact the CAFNR Career Services office at 573-882-0088.

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