Choffin to Celebrate Opening of Student-Run Cafe

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Choffin Career & Technical Center will celebrate the grand opening of Culinary Creations, a student-run cafe, at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Culinary Creations originally opened in April 2018 as the C.H.E.F. Express and was run by students in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs at Choffin. In 2019, the cafe closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Since transitioning back to in-person learning from remote learning, I noticed a disconnect and lack of understanding in my scholars’ learning when we discussed menu development and pricing,” said Tricia Goodnough, Choffin Culinary Arts program instructor. 

To help students grasp these concepts, Goodnough proposed reopening the cafe, and students worked together to come up with a new name.

“After meeting with Youngstown City School District Director of Food Service Tascin Brooks, scholars developed a menu that will adhere to the District’s approved nutrition standards and wellness policy,” Goodnough said. 

Culinary Creations’ new menu includes a variety of wraps and salads, as well as a charcuterie box featuring a variety of cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables.

The grab-and-go cafe will be open from 9 to 9:55 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.