The chapter of Gamma Phi Beta I advise has an Executive Chef who prepares all of the meals for our girls.
Chef has made a lot of effort to ask the girls about what they want and even distributes a survey at the start of each year. She asks them about what they like to eat, asks *them* to share a favorite recipe from home, their favorite kind of birthday cake and so on.
Because she is part Irish and part Chinese, she loves to share her heritage with girls and often cooks great Chinese dishes for them. Chef goes to great lengths to make the meals from fresh ingredients where possible instead of relying totally on Sysco or other prepared food services (cuts down on fat and salt). And, as an officer on the House Corporation Board, I am happy to report that she (usually!) stays within the budget.
It's because of her personal effort and great cooking that the members adore her.
Try asking the members of the chapter to share a recipe from home and then try and see which ones you can work in to your menu plans. Also, maybe try and work in one or two of your "specialties" and take the time to tell the girls the story behind your favorite dish.
.....Kelly