Make an elegant prom meal for half the cost of dining out

You can impress your date in the kitchen before dazzling him or her on the dance floor.

Joey Bees (left) from Waynesville and Eric Carter from Lebanon, culinary students at the Warren County Career Center, demonstrate how to prepare a homemade prom dinner Tuesday, April 28, at the center in Lebanon.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Joey Bees (left) from Waynesville and Eric Carter from Lebanon, culinary students at the Warren County Career Center, demonstrate how to prepare a homemade prom dinner Tuesday, April 28, at the center in Lebanon.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Beef wellington, asparagus and roasted potatoes garnished with fresh parsley are ready to eat after Warren County Career Center culinary students demonstrated how to prepare a homemade prom dinner.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Beef wellington, asparagus and roasted potatoes garnished with fresh parsley are ready to eat after Warren County Career Center culinary students demonstrated how to prepare a homemade prom dinner.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: Prepare your own prom dinner

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By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer Updated 9:22 PM Wednesday, May 6, 2009

An elegant prom night dinner doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

For less than half the price of dining out, Warren County Career Center culinary students have prepared a special menu that anyone could fix.

With beef wrapped in a flaky dough, asparagus, roasted potatoes and strawberry shortcake, any date is sure to be impressed with the meal.

“I think it just shows skills and it shows what you can really do,” said senior Eric Carter of Lebanon. “After all, prom is a big event.”

Senior Joey Bees of Waynesville said the meal can “very easily” be prepared by anyone with a general knowledge of cooking.

The food can be prepared the night before and then baked for about 30 minutes before serving, ensuring the wrong kind of flour doesn’t end up on a dress or tuxedo.

It will take about an hour to prep the beef Wellington, boil the potatoes and cook the asparagus the night before.

To serve four people, the meal will cost under $20 per person, less than half the cost of the same dinner at a restaurant, said culinary instructor Teresa Collins.

“I think everybody could make it if they put their heart into it,” said senior Meghan Yeary, of Little Miami.