The Bellerose Business Venture culinary students are gearing up for a gourmet fundraising dinner to pay off a loan for a newly acquired espresso machine.
About 18 young chefs are pitching in to create a three-course feast on Wednesday Nov. 23 at the school.
They have fine-tuned a light refreshing menu for success featuring an arugula salad with apples, walnuts and Stilton cheese.
Immediately following is a choice of two pastas freshly rolled in the kitchen: Alfredo pappardelle (broad noodles) or tomato based linguini. Dessert is a chocolate cake drenched in a berry coulee.
“The cake is very dense, almost like a ganache. It’s a mix between a chocolate mousse and a ganache,” said supervising teacher Jason Dabbagh.
This is the third community supper the school has served this year.
“Instead of being plated, the meal will be served family style on platters and large bowls, and people can serve themselves. We want this to be a communal experience.”
The Bellerose Business Venture is a student-operated business independently run by members of Dabbagh’s Food and Business program.
Founded in 2012, students take ownership by dishing up community dinners. Through the process, they learn every aspect of running a restaurant from cooking to making hard business decisions.
Student chefs past and present have also interned and gained professional experience at Cerdos Tacos, Privada Wine and Tapas, Jack’s Burger Shack and Duchess Bake Shop in Edmonton.
Every year, students in this entrepreneurial culinary program fundraise to purchase a new piece of equipment for the school’s kitchen labs. In past years, the young chefs bought a batch freezer, meat smoker and a pizza oven.
“Through their sweat equity, they buy and donate equipment to the school. Bellerose has a very unique program that you don’t see at other schools.”
This year the students borrowed money from the school to purchase a second-hand commercial espresso maker for $1,000 that normally retails at about $4,000.
The espresso machine is installed in the school’s CafĂ© Belle, a little kiosk cafĂ© where the young chefs bake goods and sell pastries. Various coffees, cappuccinos, lattes and teas are now served as well.
Students are dressing up the school atrium for Wednesday’s elegant community dinner complete with linen tablecloths, candles and dinner music.
“When we do a pop-up event like this, it’s not easy, but we’ve rehearsed the dishes several times and I’m confident it will be a great evening.”
The evening also includes an auction of student art with proceeds going to the Bellerose Queer-Straight Alliance.
“We were approached by students from QSA and we thought it was a great fit, and we wanted to be supportive.
Dinner is served on Wednesday, Nov. 23 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $27 (includes GST) and are available through the school at 780-460-8490.
