Greene County residents can now enjoy a full‑service lunch on Thursdays and Fridays at the Greene Room, a restaurant operated entirely by students of the Greene County Career Center’s culinary arts program. The two‑day‑a‑week operation gives juniors and seniors hands‑on experience in a real‑world kitchen while providing a convenient dining option for the public.
What the Greene Room offers
The Greene Room features a commercial‑size kitchen, a dining area, a host stand and a menu that mirrors a typical restaurant. Executive chef and culinary instructor Khalid Hamdy explained that students are responsible for every step of the service: “They prep it, they cook it, they serve it, and they set it up.”
Students gain practical skills
The program spans two years and is designed for high‑school juniors and seniors who want to pursue culinary careers after graduation. Hamdy noted that many participants, such as senior Oliver Dumont, enter the program with a clear career goal. “My dad’s a chef, so I learned a lot with him before I got here, but I wanted to extend my outreach by coming here,” Dumont said, adding that he plans to attend pastry school after graduation.
Not every student sees a lifelong culinary career ahead. Senior Marly Price described the program as a valuable life skill rather than a vocation: “It’s just, it’s a lifelong skill.” Regardless of future plans, Hamdy emphasized that every graduate leaves with a solid foundation. “I have students working as sous chefs, as restaurant managers,” he said. “One of my students just opened a bakery, you know, so they do a lot. They can do anything they want after my program because it’s (a) very compact program, very busy.”
Community impact
By opening the Greene Room to the public, the Career Center strengthens ties between the school and the broader community. Residents receive affordable, home‑cooked meals while supporting the next generation of chefs. The initiative also showcases the value of vocational education, reinforcing the idea that practical skills learned in school can directly benefit families and local businesses.
Local parents have praised the program for providing their children with real‑world experience and a sense of responsibility. The hands‑on model aligns with traditional family values that emphasize hard work, skill development, and service to one’s neighbors.
Looking ahead
Hamdy and the Career Center plan to continue expanding the restaurant’s offerings and may explore additional public‑service hours in the future. The success of the Greene Room demonstrates how school‑based programs can contribute to both student development and community well‑being, a model that other districts may consider adopting.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
