The 544 Café reopened to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 6 after closing in March to comply with mandatory school shutdowns.
The student-run cafe will implement new precautions as it resumes operation. Guests are required to wear facemasks except when eating or drinking and capacity will be limited to 75%.
Measures in place to keep students running the operation have largely stayed the same, with the addition of masks and hand sanitizing stations.
“The good thing about food service is you have to have a high standard anyway,” said General Manager Kwajalien Gillium, known by most as K.G. He said he also uses CDC compliant sanitizers when washing the students’ aprons and other gear as well.
The menu consists of 13 breakfast options and 23 lunch options. This year, customers can enjoy the addition of two new menu items in the Bacon Blue Burger and the Tomato Florentine Pasta. Students prepare the food, and learn the ins and outs of restaurant service through their practicums with the culinary program. Initial training lasts four weeks for students to properly learn how to create quality food in a scratch kitchen.
The café is open to the community on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8a.m to 9a.m for breakfast and 11:30a.m. to 1p.m for lunch. It is located on the west side of Wylie High School on Country Club Drive. Find the menu for 544 Café, catering options an more information about the culinary program at wylieisd.net.
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By Shardae White • [email protected]