Junior Alex Tomme walks into the kitchen, fastens her chef coat and washes her hands. She grabs eggs and blueberries from the refrigerator and heads to the stove in preparation of cooking breakfast burritos and blueberry muffins.

Because of her mom and Food Network, Tomme became interested in cooking. She prefers baking instead of cooking as rainbow cupcakes are her favorite food.

“I love cooking because I love to eat,” Tomme said. “There are lots and lots of food I really want to learn how to cook.”

Savvy Bistro, run by Culinary Arts helps students learn how to work in food industry. Students gain cooking and baking skills, learn to run a restaurant and become certified Serv Safe food handlers.

“I like the Savvy Bistro,” Tomme said. “It’s actually very fancy for a restaurant run by kids.”

A couple of months before school ended in 2006, culinary arts students were asked to do a project to come up with ideas for the new restaurant, Savvy Bistro. In May 2006 Konye Rene Rice died in a car crash. In dedication to Rice, they decided to go with Rice’s project ideas. Savvy originates from the name Savannah, the name Rice chose after her niece. Savvy Bistro opened later that year in October.

“I find it very sad and kind of cool,” Tomme said. “To have a restaurant named after you, that’s exciting. ”

Savvy Bistro serves American style food with featured foods every two weeks. Savvy Bistro opens on Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for teachers.

“Our students work really hard at making the guest feel like they aren’t in a school environment,” Chef Instructor Adair Smith said. “Our students serve great food with great service. That’s their goal.”