Contributed PREPARATION — Culinary arts students prepare homemade pickles as they get ready for the re-opening of the CrestView Inn restaurant at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.

BLOOMINGDALE — The CrestView Inn Restaurant will be opening its doors once again for the public to enjoy freshly made food and give culinary arts students real restaurant experience.

About 12 juniors and seniors at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are sharpening their skills in the kitchen and learning to serve diners as the eatery starts up this coming week. Instructor Glen Zalenski said a soft opening was set for school staff leading up to the targeted official re-opening Tuesday. The full-service restaurant will operate on Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with dine-in and take-out meals available.

“We’re going to have a very limited menu for dine-in and carryout,” Zalenski said, adding that burgers, cold sandwiches and loaded baked potatoes were included while more items will be added throughout the year.

The restaurant is equipped with a smoker for meats and a recently added hydroponics tree to grow its own lettuce and herbs, plus Zalenski plans to provide seasonal dishes such as pirogies for Lent. In addition to the food, the CrestView Inn will offer fresh-brewed coffee and cappuccino. Students will be able to purchase coffee and cappuccino from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. while the public can enjoy the warm beverages with their lunch.

Zalenski said phone orders will be taken at this time but online orders could be added in the future. There also is plenty of space for a dine-in experience and the restaurant can accommodate small parties and organizational meetings. The site has been revamped with new flooring, windows, furniture, cabinets and equipment installed during the past year as part of a $30,000 project and Zalenski said his budding chefs were preparing to serve the people.

Now in his 10th year as instructor, Zalenski said he plans to include students in culinary competitions, build their skills with professional chefs on his advisory board and give them as much experience as possible. Takeout orders can be picked up at the restaurant in the rear of the building, while reservations and orders can be made by calling (740) 264-5545, extension 602.