Self Improvement Month

The Society of Recovering Sorority Girls

It's back to school season and Self Improvement Month, so why not go back to school to improve your home entertaining skills? Numerous classes, courses and seminars are available to help both new and experienced hostesses.

Cooking courses are widely available and vary in subject, skill level and length. The hardest part is selecting which course to take. Chose a course that builds off your current home entertaining experiences, but will allow you to take your parties to a new level. If you host a lot of dinner parties, consider enrolling in a cooking class which features the cuisine of a specific region, such as Southern Italy. Should your guest lists average 20-plus people, a course in the hot trend of small plate dishes would expand your repetoire.

If a cooking class feels too ambitious, invest an evening or afternoon in your sommelier skills. Restaurants and local wineries have learned that an educated consumer is more likely to buy a bottle of wine. Take advantage of their offerings which often discuss wine and food pairings.

Have you ever wondered about the correct way to fold a napkin or arrange a centerpiece? Stop wondering and sign up for a class at the craft store. Whatever your interest, there's most likely a class that will give you a new home entertaining skill.

For the savvy hostess, back to school means improving the gracious living in the lives of the urban tribe. Take advantage of the back to school spirit and get yourself signed up for a cooking, wine tasting or craft class to augment your home entertaining skills.