Student Mark Cornish works in the kitchen for Le Bistrette.

Austin Community College culinary arts students are putting their training to work in the fast-paced kitchen of Le Bistrette, an on-campus restaurant open to the college and community. The lunchtime café operates Wednesdays, Feb. 13 through April 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eastview Campus (3401 Webberville Rd., Room 3158).

In addition to a standard menu, this semester Le Bistrette will offer special meals from regions across the country.

The restaurant is part of the American Regional Cuisine class, the capstone course for ACC’s Culinary Arts Program. Le Bistrette gives students practical, hands-on experience in all aspects of food service operations, from working at various kitchen stations to managing a restaurant.

“The restaurant gives our students the opportunity to see what it is like to work in a real kitchen,” says Chef Sandi Pepper, chair of the Culinary Arts Department. “It’s great technical training, but it’s also gratifying for the students to see how much the college and community enjoy what they’ve prepared.”Â

Reservations are not required. Gratuities are not accepted, but patrons are encouraged to fill out comment cards to assist students in the learning process.

The menu is available on Le Bistrette’s webpage. For more information on ACC’s Culinary Arts Program, visit austincc.edu/cularts.