The first of two eateries at Columbus State Community College’s recently completed Mitchell Hall is now open.
Located at 250 Cleveland Ave., Blend Cafe + Bakery offers a variety of pastries, grab-and-go items, sandwiches and soups, as well as a rotating daily hot option.
Students are hands-on in virtually every part of the operation. All of the food is prepared by the Culinary Arts School, and the location is staffed by students and partly student-run.
The cafe is open to the public and will operate from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will be open when the college is open, meaning Blend will take holidays and breaks along with the students.
Just across Mitchell Hall is, CSCC’s second student effort, Degrees. The full-service, sit-down restaurant is slated for a January 21, 2020 opening. The menu will feature primarily contemporary American cuisine.
Students will gain experience working in an operating restaurant kitchen, as well as on the hospitality management side. Like Blend, Degrees will have student employees and be partly-student run.
Tips from both restaurants will go to the new Mid-Ohio Market on CSCC’s campus. In partnership with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, the market addresses food insecurity for both CSCC students and area residents.
Opening earlier this month at 400 Grove St., the Mid-Ohio Market will support shoppers and students that have household income at less than 200% of the federal poverty level, which is less than $25,000 for an individual.
Students, faculty and staff will run the market on a volunteer basis, with additional paid work-study positions available.
For more information on the restaurants, visit blend.cscc.edu and degrees.cscc.edu. For more information on the Mid-Ohio market, click here.
All photos of Blend by Susan Post