Perfecting the Art of Fine Dining: New Student-Run Restaurant is Open for Business

August 18, 2009

Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management Program Launches Flagship Facility

Photo of Plattsburgh State student in chef uniform preparing meal If SUNY had a rating system for its experience-based learning programs, Plattsburgh State's new campus restaurant would be the clear five-star winner. And it's run completely by our very own students.

Samuel D's is now open for business in Sibley Hall. The facility provides important real-world experience for Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) students, who are learning what it takes to run a restaurant - professionally.

"We now have, without a doubt, the finest Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management training facility in the SUNY system," said John Parmelee, a lecturer in the program, noting Samuel D's flagship status.

Doing It All

Kimberly Emery, chef and instructor in HRTM, teaches the food labs and helped the students prepare for the opening of Samuel D's.

"The students are responsible for doing everything, from being a bus person to a prep cook," said Emery. "They rotate positions and decide whose in charge of what. I'm very impressed with the students. They are doing it all."

According to Mark Gultek, assistant professor of HRTM, Samuel D's will be an integral part of the HRTM program.

"The facility is a nice complement to all of our hospitality management courses since it will enhance our curriculum with hands-on applications of management principles, especially those involved in running a food service operation," said Gultek. "It will also enable our graduates to compete with the graduates from all other premier hospitality management programs across the country."

The Proof Really Is in the Pudding - Just Ask the Students

Adam Lewin, a junior HRTM major from Hopewell Junction, N.Y., is excited about the new facilities.

"The kitchen for Samuel D's is amazing! It has everything we could ask for. We're getting experience with the whole aspect of running a restaurant and learning about teamwork. It's great."

Classmate Kevin Hornby, a senior HRTM major from Plattsburgh, could not agree more.

"I'll get more management experience," he said. "And the new facility is creating excitement in the department, for students and for the faculty."

Kenny Pierson, a junior HRTM major from Brewster, N.Y., said that the restaurant will provide a great way for HRTM students to get hands-on experience.

"The new facilities provide a unique, interactive learning environment. Students get to interact a lot more with each other and to work together."

Another Distinction for the School of Business and Economics

"We are pleased to have such a fine laboratory facility available for our students to develop and test their hospitality management skills," said Dr. Raymond Guydosh, interim dean of the School of Business and Economics and chair of the HRTM department.

Robert Rolfs, HRTM faculty member noted that the restaurant and other HRTM facilities all will be of great benefit to Plattsburgh State.

"The opening of the Sibley Hospitality Management Center for the HRTM program will benefit Plattsburgh State, the community and most importantly, the HRTM student body," said Rolfs. "It provides an integration of curriculum and industry practice, a culmination of hospitality learning, a marketing tool to attract additional students and to stay competitive with other hospitality programs, and it is a tangible linkage between the College and the community."

The facility is the result of a $3.5 million Capital Funds project.

About Samuel D's

Monday through Friday mornings from 7:45 to 10:45 a.m., Samuel D's will offer Starbuck's coffee and pastries for breakfast. On Tuesdays, the restaurant will open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will offer dinner on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m.

Samuel D's is open to the public, however reservations for lunch and dinner are required and can be made by calling 518-564-4260.

http://www.samueld.com/