Student-run restaurant opens for season

Lorain County Community College’s student-operated restaurant, Sage & Seed, reopens Jan. 29 for spring semester.

Seating will be available from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through May 6, according to a news release.

The full-service restaurant is located inside the Ben and Jane Norton Culinary Arts Center on LCCC’s campus, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria.

A new menu boasts savory dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, the release said.

“Sage & Seed is a place where community members and friends can gather at our culinary arts center and enjoy dinners made by our talented students with ingredients from local growers,” said Adam Schmith, director of the Culinary Arts Institute Chef.

The Sage & Seed farm-totable program uses ingredients from Lorain County farms including Grim Dairy Farm, Flynn Show Cattle, Lettuce Heads, Coleman Gardens and Tyler’s Farm, according to the release.

“Last year, the menu was more internationally focused,” Schmith said. “This year, it’s more ‘comfort’ style, with several seafood, steak, pork and poultry dishes, as well a new vegan option.”

Some of the highlights from the new menu include poutine, lavender duck breast, hanger steak, faroe island salmon and shrimp scampi with fresh linguine, the release said.

Schmith said in the release that the veal cordon bleu (prosciutto and dried chorizo rolled, smoky blue risotto and caponata) already is becoming a favorite with those who have previewed the new menu.

The students also showcase their skills during a special Hell’s Kitchen competition held March 10 and May 12, with different teams.

As part of their finals, students will deliver fourcourse meals based on “mystery basket” ingredients they receive the day before, according to the release.

The ticketed event is open to the public for 50 to 60 guests for $60 a person by reservation only.

At Sage & Seed, students are responsible for every aspect of the restaurant including the front of house, kitchen and the business side of managing the restaurant, the release said.

The concept highlights the idea of “sage,” the wisdom of teachers and the community’s past, and “seed,” the new beginnings for those in the LCCC culinary program.

Seasoned chefs share their knowledge and skills as they lead students through their capstone project in the onsite commercial kitchen through food preparation and serving, according to the release.

Sage & Seed will be open to the public by reservation only.

For reservations for dinner, or for the Hell’s Kitchen finale, call 440-366-7007, the release said.

Tipping is not permitted, but guests may donate non perishable food items to the Commodore Cupboard food pantry in lieu of gratuity.

COURTESY — LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE From left: LCCC Culinary students Brittnee Rourke, Jasmine Miranda and Mia Hackney help run the on-campus restaurant Sage & Seed as part of their curriculum working toward their anticipated May graduation.