Highline’s Fireside Bistro is doing good business in its second quarter since reopening in fall 2021. 

“We cannot compare to previous years because it’s a totally new project, but it’s always busy in the first few weeks of quarters, and now it’s been steady,” said Rachel Collins, general manager.

They offer coffee from Martin Henry, and sandwiches and pastries from Alki Bakery, both local firms. Popular items include cinnamon rolls, chocolate, croissants, chocolate cookies, and chicken salad sandwiches.

And while feeding the campus, they are providing hands-on training for hospitality students. Out of five students currently working, three of them are from the Hospitality Program. 

“Students can learn real business operations, customer service, coffee service, menu development, taking initiatives, and develop themselves to grow,” said Collins.

Previously, food service at Highline was operated by private contractors. But with the campus largely closed last year due to the pandemic, the vendor left and food service was not offered. 

This year, the college decided to operate the Bistro on its own, using students and its Hospitality Program to offer coffee, sandwiches and snacks. 

Students are able to get credits by working in the Bistro.

Anh Nguyen, a hospitality student at Central Washington University, gets 10 credits by working there for two quarters. She said she has built confidence in herself while working in the bistro.

“Working here made me more confident in myself by having effective and open conversations with customers, like suggesting recommendations and answering customer’s questions,” Nguyen said.

“I learned time management, adaptability, teamwork, skill for making drinks, and leadership,” she said. “I am the oldest here so I train new students. I’m trying to train new students and connect everyone here before I leave.”

Uyen Thu N. Hoang, who also works at the bistro, said it’s a good experience for her. 

“Working here is for fun and experience, more than for money because we cannot accept tips,” she said. “I feel diversity working here when I see customers who don’t use English, or when I can communicate with customers in my mother tongue.” She also speaks Vietnamese in addition to English. 

Collins said she encourages students to suggest ideas for menus or operating systems.

“Other workplaces outside the campus might not need ideas from students because their system is already established,” she said. “But here, it’s a totally new project. We need more ideas.For example, we started selling matcha drinks, which was suggested by the staff.” 

Fireside Bistro changes to a classroom for hospitality after 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They provide two hospitality programs related to coffee services. 

“It’s an all learning environment,” Collins said.

Their plan is to continue the operation as they are now for the next year and longer, she said. And when more students come back on campus, they will eventually outsource the food service of Union Cafe, which is located on the first floor in Building 8.

Fireside Bistro is open from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, upstairs in Building 8.