Little Dinner Series

The Little Dinner Series is one of Tallahassee's best-kept quality dining secrets since 1957. Each semester, students in the Dedman College work side-by-side with instructors to create a series of four-course themed dinners. Every element – from the menu to décor – is conceptualized by a group of students tasked with planning and managing their own event.

Current Season: Spring 2024
Date Title Menu
March 5 Graceland view
March 7 Amor de Sabor view
March 19 Napa Valley: Dine Through the Grapevine view
March 21 Nowruz: Spring Blossoms in Persia view
March 26 Sopranos: A Night at the Vesuvio view
March 28 Lagniappe & Rye view
April 4 Taiwanese Night Market view
April 9 Ancient Roman Empire view
April 16 An Ode to the Florida Panhandle view
April 18 The Cocoa Bean view

The Little Dinner Series is graciously sponsored by

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Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

Important Information

  1. Menus are subject to change. Once available, drafts are provided to give an idea of the students' dinner concepts.
  2. The number of dinners and guest capacity per dinner varies each semester/session. These decisions are based on how many students are enrolled in the course.
  3. Guests do not need to bring printed tickets.
  4. Please read our new policies in the What to Know section.
The Details

  University Center Building B
5th Floor

  $80 per ticket
(all inclusive)

  6:30PM - Cocktail Reception
7:00PM - Dinner

The cocktail reception includes a signature drink and three hors d’oeuvres.

Dinner includes four courses (appetizer, soup/salad, entrée, dessert) with two wine pairings.
No tipping necessary.

WHAT TO KNOW
  • 18+ Policy
  • Guests must be 18 or older to attend. I.D.s will be checked for alcohol consumption.
  • Cancelation Policy
  • If a dinner is cancelled, a full refund will be issued. There will be no rain-checks given for a future dinner.
  • Waitlist
  • The waitlist is open for one week after tickets go on sale. In the event that tickets become available, names will be selected at random.
  • Dietary Restrictions
    We gladly accommodate dietary restrictions. Must provide advanced notice.
  • FSU Alcohol Policy
    Identification will be requested upon arrival. No person under 21 may consume alcoholic beverages.
  • Parking
    Parking is free and located at the University Center visitor lot, directly in front of Building B. ADA parking is also available.
  • Attire
    No jeans. Blazers are required for gentlemen and complementary cocktail attire for ladies.
Tickets

The Little Dinner Series uses Eventbrite for all of its events.

Spring 2024 Tickets
On Sale: 10am • Friday, February 16
(Waitlist closes February 23)

The waitlist will operate as a lottery to ensure a fair chance for as many guests to attend.

Get In Touch

Should you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.

  littledinnerseries@dedman.fsu.edu

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About the Little Dinner Series

Since 1957, students at the Dedman College of Hospitality have gained valuable experience by applying coursework in food service management to this fine dining series created by the late Ashby Stiff.

Stiff was a professor at the Dedman College of Hospitality for 44 years. He directed the highly popular Little Dinner Series as a laboratory extension of his classroom for 25 years. He also served as food critic of the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper for more than two decades, garnering a loyal readership and local celebrity.

Today, hospitality majors continue to create, manage, and implement themed dinners in the Little Dinner Series as part their required senior-year catering management course. Training and working with a professional chef and a front-of-house manager, students spend the semester learning the methods and concepts utilized in the food and beverage industry.

Little Dinner Series Virtual Kitchen

The LDS Virtual Kitchen is a virtual spin-off centered on some of the players behind the student-led fine dining experience.