The Torch

Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Curtis McCain Rebecca Ross, second year culinary arts student serves guests at the Renaissance room, located on the first floor of the center building adjacent to Blenders Espresso stand. The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Renaissance Room at LCC, which offers a gourmet lunch menu with an English theme, is again open for business. Tucked away behind the Student Center's espresso bar, the 32-person restaurant features the talents of students from the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Program.
Clive Wanstall, one of the core chefs in the culinary program, explained that the Renaissance Room opens every term with all meals prepared and served by first and second-year culinary students. "So when you come in, you're eating curriculum," he said. "It's somebody's grade."
Wanstall explained that the Renaissance Room, a staple at LCC since the 1970s, serves many purposes for the culinary arts students. "The second-year students get to supervise the first-year students, so there's a tremendous amount of mentoring," he said, pointing out that the 'Ren' Room is considered a restaurant laboratory and includes two classes with approximately 15 students in each one. The classes are Dining Room and Kitchen Lab, and Dining Room and Kitchen Supervision.
Regarding the restaurant's offerings, Wanstall said the menu this term features recipes straight out of British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's latest cookbook. "We thought an English theme would be fun," he stated. "And it's a pretty good value for the money." All the entrees are under $8.
Some of the entrees include grilled tenderloin with white beans, leeks and duchess potato, schnitzel with watercress, spiced apple and savoy cabbage, and roast halibut with smoked bacon, lemon mayonnaise, asparagus and potatoes rosti. Desserts, which carry a mere $2, include 'bloomin' easy vanilla cheesecake,' 'good old bread and butter pudding,' 'chocolate cambridge cream' and 'pear tarte tartin.'
Kwanzaa Vinje, a second-year culinary student who also works as a private chef, stated that he is excited about the 'Ren' Room opening up again. "When I first worked in the Ren Room, I was overwhelmed, but I was confident that I could do it," he said. "I like what the teachers emphasize, to try to always improve. I think Chef Clive really pushes us for excellence in here. We are always going over what we learned and what we can do better."
Vinje praised the 'Ren' Room's menu. "We do filet mignon. We do halibut. We do really fine cuisine," he said. "This little restaurant is one of the finest in Lane County."
Another second-year student, Colin Riddle, said he enjoys the strong hands-on approach offered through the culinary arts program. "Here, you get a chance to do a lot of stuff you've never done before. You can make what you want to make and when you ask for something, they'll try their hardest to get it for you.
"I like working in here. You get to learn every aspect of the industry - service, set-up, the front line, the salad area. It helps you learn. It's a really good experience."
For more information about the Renaissance Room or to make lunch reservations, call 463-3533. Seating begins at 11:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools