PORT ANGELES — The double-cross club and the Cobb conspiracy might sound like subjects of a black-and-white detective film.
But they’re actually items on the new film noir-inspired menu at the Wildcat Café, Lincoln High School’s student-run restaurant, which will reopen Tuesday after being closed over the summer.
Angela Roszatycki Tamas, who leads the Salish Sea Ecotourism and Hospitality Program that includes the Wildcat Café, said she and students began revamping the menu shortly before the start of the year school. While favorites like homemade clam chowder and baked goods remain, Tamas said she wanted to add a little complexity to what the café offers.
For example, the “dark side of cinnamon” is a homemade cinnamon swirl bread dunked in a light custard with seasonal berries, butter and maple syrup. The cranberry noir sandwich is made with turkey, Swiss cheese, arugula, red onion and cranberry chutney.
Working with students at the café all day this year, rather than just two periods as she did last year, also means Tamas can devote more time to instructing students in restaurant operations, such as purchasing, inventory management and setting prices.
“We’re taking a more structured approach, setting the menu in advance and operating it more like a business,” Tamas said. “Last year it was more like a pop-up.”
The café debuted last March at the site of the Port Angeles School District’s former skills center, which had a large, unused commercial kitchen. This fall, almost 50 students from Lincoln, Port Angeles High School and Seaview Academy, the district’s online education program, are enrolled in the SSEAH program and working in the café, Tamas said.
Students do all prep, scratch cooking and serving.
“There’s lots of fresh energy and new ideas,” Tamas said.
Lincoln School principal Mace Gratz has applied for a grant to purchase a coffee roaster so students will be able to create a custom Wildcat Café blend that will be served in the café and sold at retail. Branded Wildcat Café aprons, hats and water bottles also are planned.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsula dailynews.com.
