WKU’s food service operations management class is preparing different meals every week for faculty and staff throughout November.

The class is part of the hotel, restaurant and tourism management major. Students in this capstone course come up with the menu by selecting different recipes. They prepare the food themselves and also manage the entire operation.

Paige Rogers, a student who will be managing the upcoming Italian meal, said this class allows her to work hands-on in managing a kitchen and learning the skills it takes to come up with recipes. 

“I enjoy working in the food service industry, and these classes prepare me for what is ahead,” Rogers said.

The meals take place each Thursday in the Micatrotto Dining Room in Academic Complex room 213. The dining room stays open from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m, and tickets are limited to the first 60 people for each luncheon. 

The meals are full-service and include an appetizer, soup or salad, meat, starch, vegetable, dinner roll, dessert and beverage.

Ali Alabdulkarim, another student manager for the Italian meal, said the students experience being part of back of house staff by preparing the meal and front of house staff by serving the meal. 

“Chef Lee has been doing an amazing job with all of us and making sure we understand everything and making sure that we are learning, which is important for us when we graduate,” Alabdulkarim said. 

Tickets are sold a week before each luncheon in Academic Complex room 302 F from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Cash or check is accepted, and tickets can be purchased as a group or table. Tickets cannot be reserved, returned or applied to a different meal.

News reporter Natasha Breu can be reached at 270-745-6011 and [email protected]. Follow Natasha on Twitter @nnbreu.