Tara Jeffrey
Culinary students at Lambton College are putting their skills to the test as their signature campus restaurant offers fine dining for the first time in nearly three years.
“It’s good for them to be back,” instructor Kerri Fransham said of the return to in-person dining at student-run Capstones restaurant.
“We tried doing some take-out to fill in those gaps a little, but it needs to be real life; real customers. That feeling of being in a restaurant facility is one-of-a-kind for them.”
Capstones, formerly Creations, offers a gourmet table d’hôte menu designed, prepared and served by the student chefs, managers and their service team.
A different theme is offered each week throughout the summer — Italian, Thai, Canadian, South American, Greek, Japanese, Indian Street Food, and Spanish Tapas. Each set menu includes an appetizer, sorbet, main entree and dessert for the fixed price of $65, including tax and gratuity.
A wine and bar menu is also available.
“The students are so excited to get back to that practical experience that they really need to round out their education,” said Fransham. “They have an opportunity to be a chef, a manager, and a leader; they make their own menu, prepare it and serve it. It’s a real team effort that brings them all together.”
Reservations are required at Capstones, which runs every Wednesday and Thursday until Aug. 11.
“It’s a really unique experience,” Fransham said. “We have a stellar group of students this year and the food is just incredible.”
