Gathered friends, listen again to our legend of the Round Table Café…

This faction was inspired by the need for a kitchen for a growing cooking class for special education students. The result, after finding out that a grant could not be obtained just to build a kitchen, was to create a restaurant. With this idea in mind, the founders, Laura Bolinger, Kim Luke-Scherer and Suzette White, forged the idea of a restaurant for teachers and administrators, as well as opening to student organizations upon reservation later in the year. On the subject of opening, the Round Table Café’s first official opening is on December 13, while they are holding an earlier open house before this article is posted (December 5).

But why for teachers and administrators exclusively, at least at the start? Because not only will the restaurant establish a more relaxing, unique atmosphere contrasting from the sterile design of the teacher’s lounge, offering salads and drinks upon request and at a price hardly more than normal lunch for teachers (it would seem teacher’s pay more than $4 for a salad and large milk, and the restaurant would be selling higher quality food for $5). The restaurant will feature music (to which I have contributed) and visual compositions created by students. This was done in place of commercially available art and music to promote student work to the guests at the restaurant.

While this could simply have the effect of making a less dull environment, it could potentially inspire teachers and administrators in their work if they find a talented student they previously did not know about. Seeing some fruits from their labors every once in a while can certainly make the effort more enjoyable, after all.

Students being involved in the restaurant in some way is a key element of its design – after all, an idea was mentioned where the Round Table Café could be handed over to business groups (such as DECA) to gain hands-on experience running a business. But also, contributing artists will have a chance to get their name and talents out to the community, and make a profit while doing so. Since this idea is designed to help all students involved with minimal costs to the participating members, it’s a wonder something like this wasn’t conceived sooner.