Last night I hosted a dinner party as part of the third Foodbuzz Project Food Blog challenge. We drank wine. We ate kabobs. We ate way more banana pudding than would be advisable. But what really made this party so special, you ask?
The fact that it was a virtual dinner party!
Using the holy powers of Skype and Almanzo’s supreme techie skills, we were able to channel in both my mom and dad from Savannah as well as our friends Stephen and Morgan all the way from Austin, Texas. Morgan and I planned it so we’d cook the exact same thing and it was almost like they were there!
(Once upon a time, Almanzo rolled around on their living room floor with a kidney stone and they housed us for almost two weeks–we figured we owed them a great meal…plus, we miss them like crazy!)
And guess what? You’re invited, too! Come on in…
If you couldn’t tell from the video, Morgan and I planned three courses: spicy acorn squash soup, grilled shrimp and chicken kabobs and banana pudding for dessert!
Making the fall themed menu was pretty fun!
But my favorite part was making (and eating!) the banana pudding! Obviously.
We didn’t just have internet dates though, we also had Almanzo’s roommate Ed, Ed’s wife, Jonjie, who was visiting from out of town, and our friend Patrick.
Patrick brought hot wings. They weren’t on the menu. Patrick’s face was also the one on the iphone during the second to last scene in the video….but he was right in the kitchen the whole time.
I have recipes to come for all of the meals you saw on this post. Stay tuned and thanks for comin’!
Ps—ROLL TIDE ROLL!
{ 182 comments… read them below or add one }
Jenna~ That was truly amazing! Was an fun and creative way to share good food with the people you love. You are a huge inspiration girl! ~Dawn
This was so creative and great! I can’t believe you were able to pull off a Skype dinner party, would never have even thought of something like that! It all looks delicious, awesome job. Voting for you, of course!
A skype dinner party? How creative and cute! That video is awesome!
Can’t wait for the soup and pudding recipes.
Mmmm Banana pudding! That sounds delicious! I love the video–awesome song!
you win my vote! how creative!
Internet dinner party was a cute idea…and the video was adorable!
the video is awesome. the menu is awesome. the concept is awesome. Jenna, i am, once again, impressed.
Love, love…LOVE this!!! How fun! This is one of my favorite posts!
What a fantastic dinner idea! It’s amazing what we can do with technology these days! Bringing our friends and family into our homes without ever having to board a plane or bus! Amazing!
You had my vote at “virtual dinner party.”
this post made my morning! Loved the post!
Jenna, this was so neat- thank you for sharing!
Such a great idea! Of course, you would think of that! Hope you had the best time.
Very cool!
What an amazing idea! Can’t wait to vote for you =)
I bursted into tears while I saw the video …. what a nice dinner party with friends and family. I stumbled to your website last year when my mom got sick with cancer and passed away within 3 months. My mom loves to bake for me and I would always request for what i want from her. I miss her badly and I started to bake like her ( I never like/can cook or bake) Your blog was the first and only site that I went everyday while she was sick and you inspired me to start do something in the kitchen since I could barely boiled an egg.. True
Maybe that’s why I start to bake/cook so I can still feel her around me.
This is too great. I don’t even know what to say except i’ll RSVP yes for sure!
Jenna hands down this has got to be one of my favorite posts you have done. Awesome video, awesome idea!! Looks like a blast.
OMG I love your dinner party! So original and way to stand out when everyone else needed to host a dinner party this weekend too. You’ve def got my vote!
That was incredible – very creative and looked delicious AND beautiful! This is one of my favorite posts you’ve ever done.
that was amazing, so creative and charming, you have my vote for. sure. This is the kind of stuff you see on tv
Wow, amazing Jenna!! Your creativity is shining in this one. Pulling out the techie boyfriend card is clutch!
You got my vote!
Beautifully put together – this easily has my vote! As someone whose family is on the East Coast as well, I appreciate the creativity you used to make sure all the important people were there.
Ahhhh I LOVE this!!! So creative and original to throw a virtual dinner party. I’m definitely going to try this with my four closest friends – we’re in 4 different time zones right now. I bet this will get you tons of votes for FoodBuzz , mine included
That is such a cool twist on a dinner party!!! I love it!
Oh, by the way… I finally figured out who you look like: Reese Witherspoon!
What a neat idea! I can’t wait to see the recipes, especially the banana pudding!!
This is the coolest thing I have ever seen.
OK–THAT was just 2 minutes of pure GOLD. So much to love. Your HAIR! Your Mom looks so great on Skype! The music choice. The food. Umm, Jen, you know how when as little kids we all get the universal Mom instruction ‘No elbows on the table’? Am pretty sure that means high-heel boots, too! Bwwwhahahahha! (Hysterical photo) Almanzo is such a Technogenius. Can’t wait to vote for ya!!
What a cute idea! I really loved the song you were playing in the video, by the way.
Well done!!
You two make a great (and adorable) team!
LOVE IT! So creative! I can’t wait for the recipes. Banana pudding is one of my most favorite things! (and I have an acorn squash on my counter waiting for soup!)
You, my friend, are so talented and creative! This is, by far, my favorite post for challenge #3 – excellent!
Holy crap! That is a pro movie….wow…..I want to hire him….he should film weddings or something…..hell he should be making billion dollar movies in hollywood…..
Wow….pure talent….all I got to say….woooooooooooow…
ps. you are super creative/talented as well….your blog never fails to entertain
I loved the twist of a dinner party in the digital age! Watching that video was truly the bright spot of my morning. I live on the West Coast too, far away from my friends and family back East. I think I’m going to propose doing a virtual dinner party with them too. Wonderful idea!
AMAZING!!! Definitely wins my vote!!!!
Cute video!
Love the idea of a virtual dinner party. Looked so fun and delicious too!
VERY cool idea!! I love that you used technology
This post was so cool! What a creative and fun way to have a dinner party with your friends and loved ones!
Love this post…what a beautiful dinner and a beautiful evening!
A virtual dinner party is such a cute idea! I can’t wait for that acorn squash soup recipe.
I am in love with the fact that you made banana pudding.
In. Love.
No one out here in California seems to know what it is. My grandmother was from northwest Georgia, so I guess I’ve grown up eating a lot of things that no one knows about here. She always used to make it in the same bowl….with Nilla wafers. And it was divine.
In. Love.
Random comment–I am from northwest Georgia! Banana Pudding with Nilla wafers is the only way to go.
What an amazing concept, a virtual dinner. I loved the whole feel of the video, it felt very honest and real and warm! Beautiful.
I love this post. So creative.
youre freaking adorable.
Such a cute idea! I loved the video too.
Cool idea!
That was cool! So creative.
This idea was so creative and I loved the video! You’ve got my vote for sure!
Jenna!!! This is THE most fabulous thing I’ve seen…umm ever!?
this was so cute! i think you guys need to get married.
ha!
jenna, i loved this post!
That was really good, Jenna. Love that song, also!
BANANA BREAD PUDDING!!!!! and the bananas and cream are layered ontop too??? DAMN THIS IS FANTASTIC!! <3
How fun for all of you couples, what a super creative idea! I love that matching meals and skype brought you all together, good luck Jenna, looking forward to the recipes.
What an awesome idea! Looks like you had a great time & the meal looks delicious! I love banana pudding
OMG… that video was so darn cute! Ahhh, the power of the internet
Looking forward to the soup and pudding recipes!
the video is great and your place settings are the awesome!!! where’d you get them!?
you guys are so cute…and what a great way to host a dinner party with people you love! thanks for the awesome video!
banana pudding is my favorite! cant wait for the recipe
The video is awesome! You are so creative!!! I also love the way you bring elements of the South to your life in California….AL football and Banana Pudding…a winning combination!!!
BRILLIANT DINNER PARTY. It was so creative and such a wonderful concept, bringing together your loved ones on both coasts through the power of technology. Bravo, Jenna!
And the video quality was smashing, too!
love the video! and your place settings!!! where are they from!?
What a well-made and lovely video (loved the song, too). I couldn’t help smiling the whole time I watched it.
Jenna!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this creative approach to the challenge. Plus, that banana pudding looks insanely delicious. And the soup too. YUM!!
I have never before heard of a virtual dinner party, but sounds like SO much fun! I bet my MIL would really get a kick out of doing something like that together (she lives 8 hours away). I’ll have to tell her about it… But we first may need to convince her its a good idea to get her internet up and running again…. That’s a whole other can of worms. lol
LOVE the video and that pudding looked amazing- I would have snuck some myself
Btw, love the new hair style- I may just print out a picture and bring it to my stylist! 
What a great idea, so creative. Good thing Almanzo is so savvy with the camera’s. Looks like a fun time.
I just LOVE this. You know I was thinking today what I would have done if I had to host a dinner party for this challenge, and thought I’d have to do a virtual one so we have no family and friends here.
You know I might just have to do it anyway, it looks like so much fun.
fantastic idea! Really clever and beautifully done.
Brilliant post! Did your parents cook the same food too? Love the matching laptops:)
this was awesome. loved it. and i just cannot wait for the banana pudding recipe!!!
This is so fantastic and creative. I hope you win readers choice!
Beautiful and amazing video!
OMG- that video is SO great!! Watching it made me really happy! You’re so creative!
loveloveLOVE the video! Looks like awesome fun with awesome food and company! too cool! LOVE that song, too!!
What a great idea! So creative. BLISS!
you are amazing! What a fantastic idea Jenna!
The banana pudding dessert-Oh Lord!
You look so fun and creative! Wish you could come to my place for a good Sunday supper! I made Smoked Ham, Green Beans and Potatoes……comfort food
Alas…I live in the northern wilds of WI, though!
Love,
Cathy B. @ Brightbakes
Jenna, this is an amazing post, and such a wonderful idea! Thanks for it, I think I’ll try and talk my family into having such dinners
There’s a first time for everything! Impressive. You may have started something with this…
Great menu. Definitely “Fall-ish”. I’d love to hold a dinner party in the far future one day…actually natch that – I prefer going to them
.
The video was adorable to watch. You should definitely make more.
Jenna, this is a spectacular video! Makes me appreciate life, food, and loved ones! Two thumbs up for this movie.
Jenna,
ROLL TIDE ROLL! I knew you were fan of Southern college football, but I did not know you were a fan of the Tide! Love it!
I also love the idea of a virtual dinner party! I have dear friends who live far away in other cities which makes it hard to visit on a frequent basis. This makes those moments in between visits so much more fun! Thanks for sharing!
P.S. The banana pudding looks too delicious to only eat one serving!
Love the dinner party idea with Skype to include loved ones. Everything looked delicious too.
And Roll Tide! I’m more a UGA fan (even in this low season) but do really like Bama too. Especially when the beat the hated Gators.
Go Dawgs!
C’est adorable! Wow girl you are so creative, I want to do that with my mom!
That’s pretty cool that you went virtual for the party!
Random comment but the ends of your hair are beyond healthy. Like I look at your hair and I think, wow. Those are some healthy strands. I just got a brazilian blowout done to my hair and love it. I am guessing your hair is naturally straight and frizz-free…gosh, I have hair envy
And also marshmallow on top of banana dessert envy!
UMMM! Love this- that video was too, too adorable!!
BEST PFB POST EVER! got my vote, for sure
Love it!!! Please make more videos… you all are adorable.
great idea and great looking menu!
Virtual dinner party sounds awesome. Looking forward to your banana pudding recipe!
That video was amazing and that song put a smile on my face, great job!
O..m..G! Jenna – this was so “wonder years-esque” – I loved it!! Fantastic!
how fun!
1. Almanzo and you are way too cute for words.
2. I loved that red shirt.
3. After seeing you stand on the table to take a picture, I may or may not have stood on my table to eat cheesecake.
SO cute! I loved the video…. and I’m pretty sure I’m wearing the exact same shirt you were in the video.
Thanks for sharing this experience with us – Yum! Can’t wait to see the recipes featured.
Jenna, I just loved this idea. It is something different & I think makes a great post for the contest. I love how your blog has changed in the last few months, really stick out from the crowd – in the best of ways.
Be Well!!!
Hi Jenna!
Oh my goodness this is AWESOME one of the most creative things I have ever seen
You guys are so cute!
Aww! What a great idea. It’s sweet that you were able to spend time with people across the country!
Love, vote.
This was THE BEST! You are so creative. I already love your blog, but I think this just made me love it more
This is SUCH a good idea! I have tons of friends and family who live out of town.. I want to do this!
SO Creative!!! You’ve got my vote!!
Will definitely vote for this! So cute! p.s. when did you cut your hair???!
Really liked this post – excited to see something different on your blog!
All I need is the banana pudding recipe. Thnx.
Looks like fun!
So cute!!
And the music was awesome!!
holy cow-zle! Ingenious!
and the eats look amaze
JENNA. This video is INSANE!!!! I LOVED it. Best piece of art you have ever created!!!
yum! you are so creative! i hope you win, you deserve it!!
What a cute video and a fantastic idea!
Oh wow! Not only is your menu ah-mazing but that little video is too cute for words! Great job!!
Jenna: That was AWESOME! You totally have my vote for this round. So cool.
As everyone else has commented, this was great!! A friend of mine Skyped her grandpa to Thanksgiving dinner when he was in the hospital last fall. They had the food set-up buffet style and everyone got to say “hello” as they passed the laptop on the buffet line. They also had someone hold the laptop with him pulled up on Skype when they took a family photo. Amazing.
You by far have my vote this round!!!
izzyy
xox
THAT WAS AWESOME! The little music video was great — looks like a ton went into making it!
Hands down my favorite Jenna post. Loved it.
AMAZING post! How ORIGINAL, modern and fresh!!!!!
Thank you for last night! So fun to “be” with you and Adam!!
BEST. POST. EVER.
Jenna, that was the cutest video. I think you totally tied in everything blogging and social media does to connect people and how you use food in your life to do the same. Congrats and the food looks fantastic!
This is awesome!! The food looks great and you guys are just too cute.
LOVED the video, jenna!! Very creative; you should definitely create and post more!
How fun!
cutest thing i have ever seen. i made my roommate stop studying so i could show her, it was that cute.
oh and i meant to comment eons ago, but if you’re ever in berkeley again, you can email me and i can give you foodie recommendations! i’m a fourth year at cal and the food here is to die for
banana pudding sounds amazing right now. This is the most original idea for a dinner party. I’ll be voting for you. You should make it to the next round on creativity alone!
that was pretty much the cutest thang ever.
A virtual dinner paty is an ingenius idea! Can’t wait to get the recipe for the Harvest Acorn Squash soup, it sounds and looks amazing
Wow, that dinner party was sooo creative and artistic! Your video just made my day (I was stuck in my rez studying all.day.long
)!!! You look beautiful and happy. Best wishes from Toronto!
Jenna, that video was awesome! Soup looks fab!
Wow! I showed this video to my husband and he said that it could easily be an Apple commercial! How special that you are still able to enjoy dinner with friends and family who are far away. Amazing
Love this idea!
My fam lives on the other side of the world from me…I should use this idea sometime…though one of us would have to eat the opposite meal (breakie/dinner), as there is quite the time difference.
Jenna, this was such an amazing idea, I love it! Can’t wait for the banana pudding recipe! YUM!!!
A Skype dinner Party! Genius!
How cute was that?! And what a great idea. I live far away from my family too, maybe a skype dinner party is what I need
The food looks fabulous as always!
I know that you like yoga. Have you ever tried yogafit?
Yoga Conference
Soooo cool!!!!
REALLY cool idea!!! I am a military spouse, so this would be perfect to do with some of my girlfriends!!!
Such a unique idea, Jenna! I love it!
Perfect! You really too this to another level Jenna!
Your video is so fun- I love it. I also love how clear all the food is on video (random thought ha)
You deserve to move on, and we know you have picture perfect in the bag, so I guess you better get ready for the challenge AFTER that!
Just voted!
Awesome, awesome job. So inspired. Bravo!
Loved the idea and video – Jenna! You are so darn cute!
yum yum banana pudding
classic never gets old!
What a clever idea!! So inspired…maybe I’ll have to do that with my boyfriend long distance!
Jenna! This is so much fun and so creative! I really feel increasingly excited about what you’ve done with this little blog of yours – it’s awesome!
Virtual dinner parties…gotta try that! Thanks for sharing
-Katharine
the video is awesome.
Love the songs
I just voted for you! Best of luck
Jenna what a cute idea! i love it! I am such a big big fan of yours and am BEYOND honored to be in this competition with you!
http://whitneysamusebouche.blogspot.com/
Whit
This is one of the best ideas EVER. I miss my family in California so much (I live in Pennsylvania) and this is great..I’m going to do it!!!
cute idea the video dinner!!!
(see my entry here: http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/3/view/1094)
Very cool idea – How fun! =)
I love that song. how do I get it? it’s not on itunes… PS. this banana cloud makes me drool!
That looks delicious! I love using skype to stay in touch with family overseas. It’s great you could have a dinner party with your family and friends!
What a wonderful idea!
Very creative! This is too cute, what a wonderful way to have a party. Hope to see you in the next round!
That is adorable! love love love the post! Megs @ Foodalution! My husband would love it as he is such a techno geek!
I love your Skype dinner party! That banana pudding looks dangerously amazing.
What a wonderful intriguing idea. I’d love to have been there and hey, I’ve got Skype I could have been. Next time give me a heads up. You’ve got a vote from me. Good luck!
This is so clever! Well done!
WOW. I wish I could have been there to have YOUR banana pudding because I just know my meringue won’t turn out like THAT.
You’ve got my vote, Jenna. I LOVE the creativity of the virtual dinner party. It fits right in to all things blogger.
Great job!
What a great idea for the dinner party! I love the video you guys put together. My husband is allergic to bananas (the horror!) and I miss banana pudding! Great, great post!
This is my favorite blog post – anywhere – of all time. What a cool idea Jenna! Loved that you skyped your friends and loved that you guys created a little video to include us too. So innovative
and delicious looking too!!
this is insanely cute. I love it!!
Way to not let distance influence who you invited! Sending a big red heart your way!
Totally late to the party, but I loved this!!
What a unique, fun way to include friends and family, who are far away, in your celebration. Kudos! My vote’s in. Good luck!
Jenna, this is so magical! Speechless.
You have already started with the video! Great job and you have my vote.
This looks wonderful! Love your menu! Hope we both make it to the next round!
You have my vote!
Great concept – love it!
I love the bicostal idea. What fun. Food still brings people together even over great distances. Beautiful photos as always. Nicely done. I voted for you!
Good luck. Fingers crossed for us both to make it through to the next round. =)
Love the video, that’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen
That banana pudding is a family tradition of mine and I’ve introduced it to so many friends, co-workers, and even my boyfriend’s Polish parents and everyone loves it!!
I hope you win Project Food Blogger. We read about so many bloggers but we all know so many who started here.
xoxo- Q
Awesome idea!! Aren’t the powers of technology amazing. It looks like you and your dinner “guests” had a great time!! Good luck in this challenge
So adorable! You get my vote
I love this idea and really want to do this!
We did that back when we had zero friends and I cried because I had to host a dinner party but had no one to invite! Pathetic, but true. Until I met you!!
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