COD restaurant also a teaching tool
In a March 24 letter to the Daily Herald, the College of DuPage was criticized by a faculty member for incorporating a fine dining restaurant, Waterleaf, into our new Culinary and Hospitality Center, which opened this past fall.
Waterleaf is one of the college’s newest and most cutting edge teaching tools. It replaces the former Escoffier Dining Room located in the Student Resource Center. During the academic year, our culinary students utilize the facility for two full days of each week to prepare wonderful dinners for the public.
Waterleaf serves as a living laboratory for our culinary arts and hospitality management students. It provides the highest level of professional preparation for those who wish to work in the fine dining industry. Rather than standing idle for the balance of the week, Waterleaf operates as professionally staffed restaurant. Once the restaurant has become established in the community, it will generate revenue for the college.
Similar to the McAninch Performing Arts Center, this facility provides a wonderful venue to bring members of our community to campus, which serves to forge many relationships between college and potential partners.
Our culinary faculty members were deeply involved in the design details of Waterleaf and its companion eatery, Wheat Caf (also open to the public). We are proud of Waterleaf and Wheat Cafe and hope you have the opportunity to visit this premier facility.
Donna Hilton Stewart
Dean, business and technology division
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn