Chapel Hill Students Host Dinners for Strangers

Chandler Beals and Derek Peng launched a unique dining series in September 2026 designed to foster deep connections.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Entertaining

Gouache-painted illustration of a rustic dinner setting with bowls and silverware, evoking the intimacy of communal dining. — Chandler Beals and Derek Peng launched 'In Good Company' at UNC in 2026, a series of curated dinners designed to help strangers connect. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you attend a local dinner party designed to help strangers form deeper personal connections?

In September 2026, Chandler Beals and Derek Peng introduced In Good Company dinner parties at UNC. These curated events bring together strangers to share stories and connect on a personal level.

Why it matters

The dinners aim to create a space for people to discuss who they are at their core by stripping away typical social icebreakers. Derek Peng initiated the project to replicate the intimate family meals he experienced while studying in Bolivia.

The events follow 3 strict rules, including a ban on phones and a prohibition on discussing careers or academic status until the final course. Each attendee is required to contribute a specific story that aligns with the gathering's chosen one-word theme.

The players

Chandler Beals

Chandler Beals is a co-host of the In Good Company dinner party series at the University of North Carolina.

Derek Peng

Derek Peng is a co-host of the In Good Company series who drew inspiration from his study abroad experience in Bolivia.

The details

Hosts Chandler Beals and Derek Peng structure these interactions using skills from classroom and work meetings. The inaugural dinner featured a southern-style menu of collard greens, mac-and-cheese, and sweet potatoes under the theme of adrenaline.

The In Good Company dinner parties officially began in September 2026.

Culture Shift

The project follows a pattern set by the historical tradition of the salon, where curated guests gather for structured discourse. This represents a broader shift toward intentional, screen-free social interaction in a hyper-connected digital age.

For residents and students, this initiative encourages a break from standard networking habits in favor of meaningful, stranger-to-stranger dialogue. Adopting these rules at home can help transform routine dinner gatherings into more intimate and focused experiences.

The takeaway

Intentional social structure can effectively bridge the gap between complete strangers during a meal. Consider setting a single thematic focus for your next gathering to encourage more personal and memorable conversations among guests.