Attendees at the Joliet Junior College Friday Night Dinner on Sept. 21 will be treated to a number of unique food items, including a soup that is made to taste like caramel and cheese popcorn.

Called popcorn soup, Chef Tim Bucci said the culinary arts students who are creating the menu items Friday night are excited to try it.

“I think they’re really looking forward to trying to popcorn soup,” Bucci said. “When you first say it, they go ‘huh.

“When (you) try it, it’s like you’re eating a bag of popcorn.”

Friday Night Dinners take place once a semester and are an opportunity for culinary arts students to showcase their talents.

Bucci said the menu offers a variety of flavors and textures for the diners.

“I really focus when I write the menus for that,” he said. “I really try to focus on just offering some really good food that has some good flavors, but offers different techniques for the students to learn.”

Bucci said there are two other items on the menu for Friday night that he is looking forward to.

“If I had to look at the menu, although the items are somewhat unique, the ones that I really like are the shrimp and the White Chocolate and Cauliflower Panna Cotta," Bucci said. “When you eat them, you have some complex flavors that really work well together.”

The full menu can be found here.

Tickets for the dinner are $55 plus tax. There are still spots available, but the hope is to cap the dinner at 100 guests. To purchase tickets, call Susan Stockwell at 815-280-1404.