DENTON (UNT), Texas — Special Thanksgiving feasts are on the menu next week for the University of North Texas community, including a Thanksgiving dinner for students who have never experienced one, as well as a special vegan meal for students who don’t eat animal products such as turkey or eggs.

Additionally, several UNT experts are available to comment on Thanksgiving topics ranging from ways to host a holiday shindig to tips for picking the perfect wine.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT THANKSGIVING DINNER

UNT International is serving a special dinner for 130 students from home countries that don’t typically celebrate the U.S. holiday. Each table will be hosted by an American student who will share stories about their family’s Thanksgiving traditions. Additionally, guests will be served a traditional Thanksgiving meal and enjoy a short lecture on the history of Thanksgiving from Guy Chet, UNT professor of history.

• 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19 (Monday) in the room 333 of the University Union, at 1155 Union Circle in Denton.

THANKSGIVING LUNCH

UNT Dining will host several Thanksgiving lunches – including an all vegan meal – for students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the public:

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 20 (Tuesday) at Mean Greens Café (all vegan) and Champs Cafeteria
• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 20 (Tuesday) at West Cafeteria
• 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20 (Tuesday) at Kerr Cafeteria
• Cost: Free with UNT meal plan. $5.50, plus tax, at West Cafeteria and $7.95, plus tax, at all other cafeterias for those without a meal plan.

EXPERTS ON HOLIDAY TOPICS

• History: UNT history professor Guy Chet, who specializes in colonial/revolutionary America, can offer a historical perspective on Thanksgiving. History professors Jennifer Wallach and Michael Wise can talk about American food culture related to the holiday. Wallach and Wise are editors of the book series “Food and Foodways,” which uses food to talk about broader social, economic and cultural issues. Specifically, Wise can share about Native American food traditions. Additionally, they can all help dispel any historical myths around the holiday.
• Sustainable Gift Giving, Shopping and Retail Sales: UNT retail guru Linda Mihalick, senior director of the Global Digital Retailing Research Center, can discuss how customers can give great gifts that are sustainable, environmentally friendly and benefit the economy. Additionally, she can weigh in on consumer behaviors, how digital retail influences buying trends, major sales days such as Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, and other retail topics.
• Cooking: UNT trained chef Jodi Duryea can talk about how to host a great dinner party in style – including how to choose your menu, what to serve and when to serve it.
• Healthy Eating: Registered dietician Ann Afflerbach can discuss how to avoid the holiday eating binge.
• Selecting and Serving Wine: Also, UNT wine connoisseur Han Wen can offer expertise on how to shop for, serve and gift wine – whether your budget is large or small.