THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 21, 1996 TAG: 9601190264
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Although she loves to cook and makes food her career, Suzanne Kennedy, 42, sometimes avoids the kitchen when she comes home from work.
``I cook so much at work that when I come home sometimes I don't want to look at a kitchen,'' said Kennedy, a Great Bridge High School catering and foods management teacher. ``But in the summertime, I love cooking because I like to try new things.''
She has even spent some of her summers increasing her culinary skills. The past two summers she has taken French cooking courses at Johnson and Wales University At Norfolk, College of Culinary Arts.
``The classical French,'' she said. ``With all the sauces, with the butter and creams, like whipping cream, all the fattening stuff.''
Participating in dinner groups provides another enjoyable outlet for Kennedy.
The groups are made up of folks who live in the Cheshire Forest subdivision, where about 300 families make their homes.
``Anyone who wants to can participate,'' she said.
About 30 couples gather bimonthly at a different home.
``We divide into groups of four couples,'' she said. ``You only host the dinner group once a year.''
A member of the subdivision's social committee brought the idea to Chesapeake.
``It provides an opportunity to meet a lot of new people,'' Kennedy said. ``We've formed new friendships. Many times we make a late night of it. Sometimes we play games. Another night we just sit down and get to know each other. The last time we hosted at my house, a couple came whose daughter I had taught and I didn't know them. I knew they looked familiar.''
The hostess chooses and prepares the entree and beverage.
When not teaching about food or preparing it, Kennedy likes to collect recipes. She plans to put together a cookbook featuring the dishes prepared by her neighborhood group during the past year. She already has experience in putting together a cookbook.
Kennedy and a colleague recently put together a book featuring 350 favorite recipes from Great Bridge High School. Proceeds from its sales will benefit the school's Future Homemakers of America organization.
``It's very professional,'' she said. ``We ordered 500 and in three weeks have sold 300.''
While cookbooks, food and teaching occupy much of Kennedy's time, she still manages to keep her priorities straight.
``My family is really important,'' she said. ``Just remembering to keep my family as the No. 1 priority is sometimes hard to do while working in a demanding job. I also try to remember to do things for myself. I'm involved in an organization called ADK - Alpha Delta Kappa - and just spending fun time with friends.''
Full name: Suzanne Kennedy.
Hometown: Panama City, Fla.
Fond childhood memories: ``Going to the beach, enjoying water sports, water skiing and swimming a lot. We have the most beautiful beaches in Panama City.''
Spouse: David.
Children: Elizabeth and Yonnie.
Occupation: Teaching catering and foods classes at Great Bridge High School.
Hobbies: ``I like to decorate my home and entertain dinner groups. They are creative outlets for me. Plan parties and also shopping.''
Last book read: ``I got a book from my mother for Christmas called `Southern Food and Plantation Houses' by Lee Bailey. If you're into cooking, `Joy of Cooking' by Irma Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker. It's full of valuable basic information.''
What's your favorite game? Cards - canasta or spades.
Describe yourself as a color: ``Probably pink. I have a big heart.''
If you could be any tree, what would it be? ``Maybe a dogwood, because they grow in the South, and they are so beautiful.''
What irritates you the most? ``Stubborn bull-headed people who are not willing to compromise.''
Favorite type of music: ``I really like all kinds of soft rock. People like Michael Bolton and Elton John.''
Favorite movie: `` `An Officer and a Gentleman' or any movie with Tom Cruise.''
Can't resist: ``Good food, especially chocolate.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``Learn to be more patient. Patience is definitely a virtue teaching school. Sometimes I'm just not patient enough.''
Favorite TV program: ``I'm one of these late night-owls. I like David Letterman, and I like to watch the news.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Lock's Pointe at Great Bridge.
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``Doing nothing - just trying to relax.''
What would you choose for a last meal? ``French food loaded with rich sauces and a scrumptious dessert like a chocolate amaretto sin pie. We enjoyed it at Bobbywood at Ward's Corner in Norfolk.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
by CNB