By Megan Freeman, Mar. 15, 2022
On March 8, the beloved restaurant at Kellogg Ranch, or Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch reopened after two years of no operation due to the everchanging COVID-19 pandemic.
The Restaurant comprises of mainly student workers from the Collins College of Hospitality Management. Student employees shared that they were ready to fulfill CPP’s learn by doing attitude.
“(The pandemic) has affected us a lot here at the restaurant just because not only with the restaurant but just us at Collins in general,” said Mackenzie Leon, a student manager of the Restaurant. “We got hit really hard because the hospitality students here learn off of people interaction whether in the restaurant environment or anything like that.”
Leon said the reopening was a “step in the right direction” and that it was a long time coming. He also stated that the restaurant’s closing was hard for him and other students, as it is a requirement to work at the restaurant to graduate.
Since they have been closed for two years, it was difficult to get other jobs in the meantime, especially in the service industry. Leon and his team had time to plan and brainstorm different ways to improve the menu and the restaurant as a whole.
“When we came back, we had time to kind of test things out and see what works and what does not,” said Leon. “Now that we are finally able to serve guests again, we’re able to present something that we enjoy and are pretty proud of.”
Restaurant patrons have the option of a three-course meal ranging from 10 to 35 dollars with an appetizer, an entrée and a dessert, or they can pick and choose what they want. They also have a wide selection of wines and beers for anyone who wants an even more relaxing dinner with an incredible view.
It is a restaurant run by students, for students. The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch is all-American, and there is something for everyone, from steak, chicken and fish to various tasty desserts and appetizers. The menu also features some fusion dishes including agua chiles, a raw seafood Mexican dish.
“I think it is pretty cool that we reopened,” said Brittany Wells, a student bartender at the Restaurant. “I actually was not fully aware that we were going to be a complete hands-on, students-only restaurant when I signed up for the class, but it was convenient cause I already work in a restaurant, so this is pretty easy to me.”
The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch has reopened to serve the campus community once again and the student chefs, managers and bartenders are ready to get back to work. According to staff, CPP students are excited to return to the restaurant.
“I think what excites me most is just seeing everyone’s reaction to the reopening,” said Bianca Medina, a teacher’s assistant at the Restaurant. “There are multiple people that come back and are loyal customers, and they ask, ‘When are you guys reopening?’ It is just the idea of seeing how excited they are and how they reminisce on how it was back then.”
The restaurant is currently open Tuesday to Friday with lunch hours being offered from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and dinner hours running from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. To reserve a table, the campus community can visit their website.