McHenry County College restauarant to reopen

Submitted by McHenry County College

Bring your appetite and a friend to the reopening of McHenry County College’s student-operated restaurant, Slàinte, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7. The restaurant is in the MCC Employee Dining Room, Building B, Room B177c. The college is at 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

The opening night dinner theme is American Comfort Food with a twist and features braised pork belly, bourbon glazed grilled salmon, 14 oz. bone-in rib eye steak with blue cheese crust, and horchata creme brulee.

In its second year, the restaurant now features communal tables of six and an action station, where a student chef will actually cook/serve/prepare an item in the dining room. Other new highlights include specialty nonalcoholic drinks, a custom MCC coffee blend, and espresso coffee drinks.

Slàinte (pronounced “slawn-cha”), is designed to both educate students and delight customers. Slàinte also is a classroom full of future restaurant owners, executive chefs, pastry chefs, sous chefs, cooks, bakers, servers, bussers, bartenders and more. Culinary students gain real-world experience, as they will make the hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert, along with set up the dining room and serve the food.

Slàinte is a Scottish toast that means “to good health.” According to MCC’s Chef Thomas Kaltenecker, the name “represents MCC’s connection to the Scottish roots of the community. To good health also encompasses what my values and vision as a chef and educator are about: integrity of food, use of local producers, sustainability, and a strong foundation in business.” This philosophy is embraced through Slàinte’s emphasis on local and sustainable ingredients and a delicious diversity of dishes.

Slàinte’s menu changes three times during the semester with a special Valentine’s Day four-course banquet prix fix Tuesday, Feb. 14. Restaurant hours are 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday through April 23. Seating capacity is 48. Average dinner price per guest is $20 with payment by cash or check.

MCC launched its first culinary management program in August 2009, offering certificate programs in chef’s assistant and baking and pastry assistant. Building upon MCC’s certificate program in culinary management, the college launched an Associate in Applied Science degree program in culinary management in Fall 2011.

For reservations, call (815) 479-7800 or email slainterestaurant@mchenry.edu. Walk-ins will be seated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information on MCC’s culinary program, contact Chef Thomas Kaltenecker, CHE, MCFE, executive chef and instructor of culinary management, at (815) 479-7741 or contact slainterestaurant@mchenry.edu or visit www.mchenry.edu/culinary.