Cole’s Bistro, a restaurant run by advanced culinary students, is creating special dinners open to the public once a month, beginning in November.
The dinners are a collaborative project between Anne Arundel Community College and the Woodland Job Corps Career Development Center’s advanced culinary students. Job Corps operates only two advanced culinary programs in the country, requiring students to apply for acceptance.
The menu is high end. The grand opening in October featured a crab, avocado and red pepper appetizer, French onion soup, veal, roasted vegetable and risotto entrée and bananas Foster for dessert. The students are experienced at creating entire meals. Part of the curriculum is for students to take turns once a month planning, preparing and serving a lunch based on a specific culinary theme that is served to staff and guests of the college.
Cole’s Bistro also incorporates other Job Corps programs. The basic culinary students perform some of the prep work in the kitchen. The hotel management students handle the reservations and serve as hosts and wait staff.
Cole’s Bistro has been set up in a special dining area at the Woodland Job Corps Career Development Center, 3300 Fort Meade Road in Laurel. Reservations are required, as seating is limited. Reservations for the Nov. 17 and Dec. 8 dinners are now being accepted online. Visit www.aacc.edu/colesbistro and click on the online reservations link. The cost is $20 plus six percent sales tax.
Job Corps uses an integrated approach to education, combining academics, life skills and career training. Cole’s Bistro provides another way for students to showcase their talents while providing them with hands-on practical experience in culinary arts.
For information, contact Lori Hamlen, 410-777-2924 or [email protected].
