Full Breakdown
Student-Run Cafes Foster Culinary Skills and Life Lessons
12/16/2025, 12:17:59 AM
Panther Cafe: A Culinary Classroom Experience
The Panther Cafe, located in the former media center of Connorville, Ohio, provides students in Luke Fabry’s Foods 2 class with practical experience in managing a coffee bar. Established in late October, the cafe allows students to serve beverages and homemade treats to staff and fellow students. Fabry noted that the cafe operates throughout most of the day, with students taking on roles as managers and workers. Orders are placed through Google Classroom, transitioning to a point-of-sales system for efficiency. The initiative began as a fundraising effort after the class's participation in the Cook Around the World competition at the Disney Epcot Center, where they received accolades for their culinary creations.
Students are learning to prepare a variety of drinks, including frappuccinos and seasonal flavors, alongside snacks like Panther Bites cookies. The cafe aims to enhance students' job readiness by providing a hands-on experience in a real-world setting. Fabry emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “It’s as close as they can possibly get to job experience.”
Utica Shale Academy Coffee and Breakfast Shoppe
In Salineville, Ohio, the Utica Shale Academy is launching its own student-managed coffee and breakfast cafe, supported by a $700 grant from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. Intervention Specialist Michael Skrinjar highlighted that the cafe will teach students essential life skills such as budgeting, customer service, and food preparation. The initiative is particularly beneficial for the 125 students and 25 staff members at the academy, as it addresses the lack of local cafe options.
Skrinjar expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Anything that could help them practice the adult phase of life, as much as possible in our dynamic learning environment.” The cafe will feature a menu of coffee, pastries, and breakfast items, with plans for creative menu development. The grant will fund equipment such as a Ratio Six coffee machine and an electric griddle, while local coffee beans will be donated.
Broader Implications and Future Prospects
Both cafes serve as practical learning environments, reinforcing skills that students will need in their future careers. The Panther Cafe aims to generate proceeds to support class activities, including future competitions, while the Utica Shale Academy cafe may eventually open to the public, expanding its community impact.
Skrinjar noted the potential for students to develop a culture of service and communication through their involvement in the cafe. He remarked, “It gives us an opportunity to take all those types of things that they’re learning and then work with it every day to apply them.”
Official Statements & Responses
Luke Fabry stated, “We have a uniform and passes so they can deliver to classes,” emphasizing the operational structure of the Panther Cafe. Michael Skrinjar expressed gratitude for the grant, saying, “We’re just definitely appreciative of the opportunity. It gives our students a great opportunity for the students to build the skills that they’re learning.”
Verbatim Quotes
“It’s as close as they can possibly get to job experience.” — Luke Fabry, Foods 2 Instructor
“Anything that could help them practice the adult phase of life, as much as possible in our dynamic learning environment.” — Michael Skrinjar, Intervention Specialist
“We’re just definitely appreciative of the opportunity.” — Michael Skrinjar, Intervention Specialist
“It gives us an opportunity to take all those types of things that they’re learning and then work with it every day to apply them, and then also be able to evaluate day-in day-out how they’re doing with those skills or order to make something thrive. A lot of fun goes into it,” — Michael Skrinjar, Intervention Specialist
