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MCCTC’s The Bistro reopens for fall and winter hours
By Billy Ludt
CANFIELD
Many people have told Matt Putzier that The Bistro at Mahoning County Career & Technical Center is the best-kept secret in Canfield.
But the culinary arts instructor doesn’t think it has to stay that way.
The Bistro, a student-run restaurant at MCCTC, has reopened to the public for lunch once again. From November to January, the restaurant has hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Arriana Crowe, a senior at MCCTC, was in charge of preparing soups and keeping track of orders during her shift at The Bistro on Thursday. The general shift for students is from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
The kitchen was buzzing with activity in the hours preceding the restaurant’s opening, but working in that setting is no stranger to Crowe.
“Cooking has been with me forever,” she said.
With the assistance of culinary arts staff, students are responsible for running every facet of the restaurant. For two weeks at a time, students will take on one job, preparing food in either of the MCCTC’s kitchens, serving guests in the dining room or cleaning up.
Putzier said the culinary arts program tries to give students experience necessary to take any avenue once they graduate, whether that’s going to college or seeking a career. It aims to give them hands-on time with preparation for a la carte or fine dining, bakery and industrial cooking – or cooking for a large number of people.
“We’re able to mimic more jobs in the industry,” Putzier said. And that doesn’t mean students have to solely seek careers working in restaurants, he added.
By 11:30 a.m. Thursday, The Bistro’s dining room was filled with patrons. At most, it can seat 98 people.
The second kitchen at MCCTC acts as a bakery. Students prepares breads, crackers for soups and desserts, oftentimes a week ahead of time, for meals at The Bistro.
Patrons can order a three-course meal: appetizer, entree and dessert.
As part of the MCCTC’s Academy of the ARTS, students are able to dedicate more time to working in The Bistro. The academy encompasses culinary arts, creative arts and design and cosmetology programs at the technical school. Curriculum in math, science and English courses incorporate relevant subject matter to programs.
For example, Putzier said, English classes cover communicating and interacting with customers.
As a fully functioning restaurant, The Bistro receives money through transactions and tips.
Gratuity goes into a student activity fund for culinary art students to fund field trips and other activities. Menu items are calculated to ensure The Bistro makes back what the program paid for in supplies.
The Bistro will reopen for lunch hours in March next year and will have hours until April.
Due to its limited hours, Putzier said the best way to ensure someone can eat at The Bistro is with a reservation. The restaurant also offers takeout, and has rotating and limited menu items.