On October 15, the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) celebrated the grand re-opening of the Culinary Café at Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School for the 2015-16 school year.
Students are the driving force behind SCOE's Culinary Arts Program, which also involves students from Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School. They showcase the food preparation and service skills they learn from teacher Chef Jeff Zahniser.
Produce grown by students in their campus garden is featured in the Café dishes and offered for sale at the school's neighborhood farmers market. SCOE operates the Palmiter and Hickey campuses to serve special student populations.
This year's invitation-only grand opening featured an organic "microfarm-to-fork" salad, artichoke and sun-dried tomato stuffed chicken, potatoes dauphinoise, a fall vegetable medley, and peach cobbler.
Dates and menus are posted online and the Café is now accepting lunch reservations for Thursday seatings that start October 29. Lunch costs $7 (gratuity not included) and all proceeds go back into the program. Those interested in making reservations should call the Culinary Café at (916) 228-2039.