Culinary Arts student Laura Seliger tends to a pan of roasted vegetables at a recent Top of the Hill lunch at Nicolet. The lunches are held most Tuesdays and Thursdays through mid-May. For more information, call 715-365-4466.

Nicolet College culinary arts students prepare international cuisine for the community

STAR JOURNAL REPORT
Imagine taking a trip to Europe, Peru or the Philippines for lunch on Thursday. It’s not as impossible as it may sound, thanks to the Nicolet College culinary arts students. Without leaving Oneida County, diners can taste dishes from around the world just about every Tuesday and Thursday from now through mid-May at the Top of the Hill restaurant at Nicolet College.

The lunches will take customers on a virtual world-wide epicurean tour with dishes from different regions in the U.S. and numerous foreign countries. International fare will include dishes from Italy, Peru, the Philippines, Germany, Finland, and Puerto Rico.

Student-run Top of the Hill dining is a tradition at Nicolet that goes back decades, said Culinary Arts Instructor Vicki Mendham, who has taught at Nicolet for more than 20 years, won multiple Culinary awards, and has served in leadership roles in state Culinary organizations.

“These are second-year students and each takes a day when they are essentially in charge of everything, just like they would be if they were a lead chef at a restaurant,” Mendham explained.

“We give them free reign to apply everything they’ve learned so far. And I have to say, they never cease to amaze me with the wonderful and delicious dishes they prepare.”

The menu calendar can be viewed here.

The lunches are open to the public and serviced 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in the Northwoods Center on the Nicolet Campus. Each lunch features multiple dishes and a beverage. Cost is $9.50 plus tax for each lunch. Reservations are recommended and can be made 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays by calling 715-365-4466.