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PAGE 10B
BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2018
Hands-on experience; upscale touch
Students operate restaurant at Sims
Academy of Innovation and Technology
By Scott Thompson
News-Journal Editor
The culinary arts pro
gram is one of if not
the most popular at the
Barrow County School
System’s Sims Acad
emy of Innovation and
Technology, and school
officials are hoping to
increase exposure of the
student-run, fine-dining
restaurant there.
For three years, Simsa-
tions has served meals to
the public at lunchtime
on Thursdays during the
school year. More than a
dozen culinary students,
who come over from
Apalachee and Wind
er-Barrow high schools,
plan and cook the meals,
along with the guidance
of chef Mike McEvoy,
who provides them with
recipes. Meanwhile, a
group of Sims marketing
instructor Brandi Chit-
ty’s students run the hos
pitality end of things, set
ting the tables, greeting
guests and serving them.
“It’s crucial for (the
students) to have these
hands-on opportunities,”
Chitty said. “Sims is all
about preparing students
not only for the next level
of education, but for the
workforce. We hear all
the time from the com
munity about how they
need more skill work
ers. There is a huge push
to stress employability,
communication skills
and professionalism. And
in the culinary and hospi
tality programs, through
the restaurant, they’re
getting training from
people who have indus
try experience.”
The restaurant serves
the public on Thursdays
at three different seat
ing times — 11:45 a.m.,
noon and 12:15 p.m., to
fit within the students’
period of instruction.
Reservations are request
ed — preferably by 2
p.m. on Tuesday after
noons — though walk-
ins are welcome, Chitty
said.
The three-course meals
are $8 apiece, including
a drink, and the pro
ceeds go back into the
program for equipment
purchases, student field
trips and other support.
There is typically bread
on the table when guests
arrive. Then a first course
is served, followed by a
main entree and a des
sert.
Last week’s menu was
focaccia bread; citrus and
arugula salad with spiced
almonds; chimichurri
flank steak, Yukon Gold
potato cakes, jalapeno
com and roasted Brus
sels sprouts; and choc
olate parfait. The menu
for the meal on April 12
is braided sesame bread;
spinach salad with warm
bacon dressing; fried
flounder with lemon pars
ley butter, steamed red
potatoes, roasted broccoli
and yellow squash with
tomatoes; and a fruit tart.
A menu for the entire
semester can be found
online at www.simsa-
tions.org.
“It’s really impressive
how they present the
food,” Chitty said. “Mike
does a great job with
them. He’s preparing his
students to be successful
and a lot of them contin
ue their culinary studies.
All of the food has an
upscale touch and like he
tells them, fine dining is
where the money is in the
restaurant business these
days.”
The restaurant served
14 people last week, Chit
ty said, but has the ability
to serve closer to 40 at
lunch time.
“We definitely want
more guests,” she said.
“We are on the other side
of town, but we’re not too
far away from everything.
We’re about 10 minutes
from downtown Winder.
It’s a great three-course
meal at only $8 with no
tax. That’s hard to beat.”
CULINARY SKILLS
Sims Academy of Technology and Innovation student Winston Young pre
pares food at the Sims Academy restaurant, Simsations, recently. The restau
rant, which has been open for three years, is student-operated as students
prepare meals and serve guests. The restaurant is open for lunch every
Thursday during the school year and guests are seated at three different
times — 11:45 a.m., noon and 12:15 p.m.
Submitted photos
Primary Care
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Terrelonge, MD
NGPG Bethlehem
916 Loganville Hwy
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Bethlehem, GA
30620
770-791-0167
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1906 Railroad St
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Primary Care
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GOOD SERVICE
Mason McDaniel serves guests at the Simsations
restaurant.
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Chef Mike McEvoy works with students Kevin
Menadue, right, and Chrystinia Crocker.
Garey Huff, Sr. MD Garey Huff, Jr. MD Audrey Huff, MD
NGPG Family Health Associates
63 W. Candler St.
Winder, GA 30680
770-848-9300
Accepting New Patients I Walk-Ins Welcome
Same-Day Appointments vary by location. Call offices for scheduling.
Visit ngpg.org for more information
^ Northeast Georgia
PHYSICIANS GROUP
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Sims Academy student Querria Burch prepares
food at Simsations recently.