RESTAURANTS FEELING THE SLOWDOWN
When cracks started appearing in the economy 2 years ago...it was just a matter of time before discretionary spending took a hit. One industry that has been particularly hard hit has been the restaurant biz.In 2008, dinner traffic at eateries slumped 2%..the number or people eating out for lunch has also fallen. In January of this year. many of the major restaurant chains reported sales drops of over 50%. Chains like Starbucks and Ruby Tuesday's are scaling back in the wake of the sharp pullback in consumer spending. For many of us..spending 50 bucks for dinner and drinks just doesn't add up any more. So where can we go to get restaurant quality food prepared and served in a fine dining atmosphere for a fraction of that? Try going back to school...read on and learn more!
MUNCHIES AT MANCHESTER
Manchester Community College is an amazing resource for learning and career preparation. The beautiful campus is home to many thriving programs for just about any career path. One program that doesn't get as much attention as it should is their Hospitality Program. This includes culinary arts, foodservice management and hotel and tourism management. The culinary arts program offers a unique way for the public to get a taste of what's going on inside. Jayne Pearson is the director of the program and she oversees eager students as they learn all aspects of culinary work. They cook, serve and clean. And anyone can sample their work for just a few bucks. Each semester, reservations are taken for the general public to enjoy the meals they cook..served in a dining room on campus. Lunch prices start at $8 and dinners for $12. And we are talking great food. From Italian to Mexican...Middle East fare to American fare..the variety is endless. On some nights, wine tastings are even scheduled. Full course meals..from soup to nuts. And don't tip your chef/server...simply fill out a comment card and this acts as their "report card" for their instructor.
CHOW DOWN AFTER LABOR DAY
The next chance to sample the student work is coming. Joan Pearson says she expects to release the upcoming dates around Labor Day. But act fast..reservations are limited and the meals go quickly. All of the key information is found on their website: www.mcc.commnet.edu For the students..they get immediate feedback on their creations and service. All ages are enjoying the program at Manchester Community College..some take the courses for fun..others are looking to use their education as a launching pad for a rewarding career. Some numbers to ponder:
* By 2014, the culinary industry will employ 13.5 million people
* There will be a 15% increase in jobs over the next 5 years
* The employment rate for the industry will grow faster than all others
