The Baker University parMentors received the chance to work on their culinary skills at their monthly meeting Sunday.

Tanya Sieber, catering coordinator for the university, taught the students how to prepare a simple three-course meal. (Story continued below.) Watch KNBU- TV's segment with Tanya Sieber, catering coordinater, in which she talks about hosting informal dinner parties, part of Inside Baker.<a href="http://youtube.com/user/KNBU" target="_blank">Inside Baker.</a> Inside Baker.

Sieber went over every portion of planning a dinner party. She showed the students how to prepare and cook the food, which could be bought at most supermarkets. She also gave tips on when and how to invite guests and how to cook the meal while entertaining.

“Our hope is to prepare them for the professional world,” Nancy Richard, faculty adviser to the parMentors said.

Richard said the cooking course was chosen to teach students how to work under pressure and successfully entertain bosses or co-workers.

“It will help them to relax for midterms or finals,” she said. “But it will also help them as professionals in high-stress jobs.”

The lesson was just one of many lessons in proper etiquette, which provide parMentors with skills to help with their job.

Megan Renehan, co-president of parMentors, said members of the organization serve as official student hosts for Baker.

“At every meeting we try to learn something new,” she said.

The organization also worked on proficiency in areas other than just culinary skills and dining etiquette.

“We also did a wine tasting workshop,” sophomore Jeff Skillman said.

Members have learned skills ranging from dining and golf decorum to proper tipping and how to dance. Even yoga is a planned activity.

“We are attempting to do extensive training in professional etiquette,” Richard said.

As part of their duties, parMentors volunteer to be servers and greeters at activities and receptions for Baker. They act as guides to special guests of the university, such as members of the Board of Trustees, speakers or community leaders.

“When Board of Trustee members come to campus, we socialize with them and keep them updated about Baker,” Renehan said.

Richard said she founded parMentors in 1986 to give steadfast students an opportunity to share their Baker experiences with special friends of the university.

“The original intent was to pick out top students who would serve as guides to guests,” she said.

Richard said students go through an intense interview process to be selected as representatives of Baker. Six judges interview the students all at once and make decisions based on answers to questions.

“It’s important they have conversation skills,” Richard said.