At-risk kids get a life’s lesson at SRJC Cafe

Stop by the SRJC Cafe next time you are over in Santa Rosa. A great destination for students interested in culinary careers as well.|

Michelle Samson and I recently had the privilege of accompanying seven residents of the Valley of the Moon Children’s Center to the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Culinary Café & Bakery so they could experience their first linen table cloth luncheon and learn about careers in the culinary field. And they seemed to enjoy every second of it.

Chef instructor Michael Salinger gave them a tour at the kitchen, and former Glen Ellen resident and “front of house” instructor Betsy Fischer generously spoke to them several times as a group and individually. They are young people who have not decided on a career, but thought they might be interested in food as work.

Samson and I accompanied the kids as member of the Cha Chas – the auxiliary board of the Children’s Center. The kids have been brought to the center because they are at risk in their home-living situations.

One thing Betsy convinced them of is that there is an abundance of jobs out there for someone trained in a culinary program such as the JC’s. Restaurants everywhere are looking for people who have skills and are willing to work.

The SRJC Café “staff” is all culinary students, so program enrollees get real-life experience. The food is good and the price is right, but be generous if there is a slight flaw in anything. Even the servers are part of the learning program.

They offer prix-fixe menus as well as à la carte selections at lunch. Our prix fixe included an excellent grilled peach and prosciutto salad, great pan-seared wild Coho salmon, chili relleno, or chicken Parmigiana, and a triple berry cream tart with citrus curd and raspberry Chantilly. Not too shabby.

We teared up while answering questions of which fork and spoon to use for what, but were delighted the kids got this experience, and some of them got really interested in the field.

For lunch the Culinary Café & Bakery also offers soups, salads, wood fired pizzas, sandwiches, entrées, desserts, several wines including Shone Farm’s from the Russian River Valley. Shone Farm is also the source of much of the school and café’s organic food. Sebastopol Micro Grains donates its products daily. All items $5 to $12 (pizzas $7.50). Be sure to purchase a goodie from the bakery counter on your way out. Open Wednesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the JC is in session. For reservations call 522-2796.

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