The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lighthouse Grille open for business
Lorain High School students cooking in eatery
True to its name, a Titan Burger is big on the opening menu of Lighthouse Grille on the northwest corner of Lorain High School, 2600 Ashland Ave.
A half-pound of beef, it’s accompanied by cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions and a signature Titan barbecue sauce.
From the menu, the five sandwiches, three salads and appetizers are cooked and served by 12 students in the culinary and hospitality programs at Lorain High.
Lighthouse Grille invited customers in slowly with a soft opening April 12 to help the students gain experience without being
overwhelmed, said Terra Dahlhausen, hospitality teacher at Lorain High.
Forty students are in the program which includes Chef David Smith as the culinary teacher, Dahlhausen said.
Open hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, she said.
Until the end of the school year, the Lighthouse Grille intends to carry the same menu, which includes dark chocolate hazelnut mocha, carrot cake, cheese cake and a black bean veggie burger on a focaccia bun.
The crew also caters banquets and events, Dahlhausen said, such as the mayor’s breakfast and the Lorain High academic banquet in May.
The first person to greet guests as they entered was hostess Joselyn Santiago, 18, a senior, who is ready with a smile.
“I love to cook,” Joselyn said. “It’s my passion. When I cook I feel happiness. That’s my universe. I love cooking, helping. That’s how I am.”
And server Robert Osorio, 16, a junior, said he may have found a niche through trial and error.
“Last year, I got bored when I was scheduling my other classes, and I thought I would try this,” Robert said.
“I learned social skills, work ethics, communication, team work.”
Customers appreciated their experience.
“The food was wonderful,” said Felicia McGaughey, 34, of Lorain. “And everything they’re doing with the students is a beautiful thing.”
William Horton, 41, of Lorain, said his niece, Kayla Grant, cooks at the Lighthouse Grille.
“I think the food was great,” Horton said. “Proud of my niece and the job that they’re doing.”
Dahlhausen said they may serve breakfast next year, but for now, the students are learning as they go.
“Coming into a new building, we had a lot to do getting ready, she said. “Right now, they’re doing the evening events, the banquets, so they learn catering and dinners.
“In the summer, we’re closed. Who knows what will happen in the future. If we have enough students we may run a summer program.”
Joe Bock, multimedia technology coordinator of TV 20 at Lorain High, thanked the students for his dining experience.
“I had a turkey club and the kettle chips with Titan barbecue sauce, their signature sauce,” Bock said. “It was really good. I took my assistant to lunch. Two lunches, drinks, everything, it was $11.
“Great prices and kids get great experience.”
For more information, call Smith or Dahlhausen at 440-233-2200 ext. 11031, 11038 or 11034, or send an email to tdahlhausen@loraincsd.org, or dksmith@loraincsd.org.