By Megan Matthews
Located in the Grand Rapids Community College Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center the Heritage Restaurant is now open and serving lunch three days a week through Feb. 16.
The restaurant serves about 30 to 40 guests a day, and while walk-ins are available, reservations are recommended.
In addition to reservations, take-out orders are also available and only take about 15 minutes to prepare. Guests can choose to walk in or call ahead to place orders.
Two classes run the Heritage restaurant: CA 114 (Food Production) and CA 115 (Table Service). The classes are seven-week courses meeting Monday- Friday.
“Students are taught in the first week all of the information they need to know to function in the Heritage Restaurant before opening,” said Associate Professor Holly VanRyn. “This was our first week of service and it went so well. The students are doing amazing.”
Food Production students are learning how to prepare food in a restaurant and regularly rotate through stations of food preparation, so they learn a variety of dishes.
Table Service students gain experience in fine dining service etiquette as well as information about cheese tastings, specialty teas, specialty coffees, and different styles of service.
“The students rotate tasks every day so it’s always fresh, it’s always new, and they don’t get stuck in one position for the whole seven weeks,” said VanRyn.
The Heritage’s 2023 Winter semester includes an a la carte lunch menu meaning guests have the choice of ordering individual dishes or multiple-course meals.
The dishes include various soups, salads, appetizers, entrees, and desserts provided by the GRCC pastry students. In addition to meals, the Heritage also provides a beverage cart where they serve sodas, fine teas and coffees, and more. Appetizers, soup, salads, and desserts cost about $2-$7, entrees are $13-$16, and beverages cost about $1-$4.
“Our menu is really top-notch,” said VanRyn. “If you look at our online reviews they are the same, if not better than other local restaurants. And not only is it a great dining experience, but I also think it’s rewarding for the guests that come in to know that they are helping students learn.”
The lunch service hours are from 11:15 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday through Feb.16. Reservations can be made on regular service days between 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. by calling (616) 234-3700. Reservations can be made on regular service days between 11:15 a.m. and -12:15 p.m. by calling (616) 234-3700
