Lenoir Dining offers students a culinary change of pace on campus while allowing hospitality majors to get hands-on experience in the restaurant business.
Lenoir offers three-course meals every Tuesday and Thursday for $7 and $10 to the general public.
Hospitality management and nutrition Seniors (left to right) Eugenia Watkins, Katie Wilson, Bess Broadwater and Sophie Williamson prepare for dinner service at Lenoir Dining. (Photo by: Elizabeth Blackstock)
Lenoir is entirely run by students, from cooking and serving to management functions. All tips are donated to the Nutrition and Hospitality management student scholarship fund.
“Lenoir Dining gives students a chance to learn about restaurant management,” senior hospitality major Lucy Coleman said. “All of the food is cooked by students and the front of the house is run by students.”
Students rotate positions to learn every aspect of the hospitality business.
“We’ve been going through all types of training,” Coleman said. “I’ve had different positions, including server and host. We also have front of house manager, back of house manager, we’ll do different kitchen stations and prep work.”
Coleman said she loves getting experience while also having the opportunity to work with her friends.
“It’s way better than sitting in a lecture hall all the time,” said Coleman.
The restaurant features themed meals every week, such as comfort, Greek and Southern foods.
“We have a quantity foods class twice a week and we’re split into groups where we pick what we want to cook and every group picks a theme,” senior hospitality major and chef Claire Bolen said.
Lenoir Dining is a team effort and requires all staff to be mindful of the needs of their customers. Bolen said the students’ bond and the hands-on experience are part of Lenoir Dining’s success and the reason she enjoys working there.
“Each of us are really good at different things, so we kind of bounce off each other and help each other out,” Bolen said.
Teamwork is extremely important at Lenoir dining to make sure everything runs smoothly.
“Each of us has a specific job and say one table is hectic, one person can’t do that job alone, they’re going to need help,” Bolen said.
Bolen said she wants the campus community to know Lenoir Dining is a friendly environment.
“It is very welcoming and sometimes quiet, but the food is really good,” Bolen said.
– Kiara Manning
