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    Bistro 502 – Open Kitchen Concept

    Sarasota, Florida

    In 2009, Jim Richards, Jr had the pleasure of being the lead design consultant on Suncoast Technical College’s brand new cutting-edge 12,000 square foot culinary arts teaching kitchen and bistro called Bistro 502.

    The Lead Chef Instructor had a vision for the new program. He wanted to create a working restaurant environment for students where they could have the hands on experience working and managing all aspects of a restaurant. The open kitchen concept came to be called Bistro 502.

    On the “wishlist” for the bistro was a set of European-style cooking suites that would enable students to communicate more openly and freely and provide them with experience on various types of cooking equipment, including a chargrill, griddle, fryers and pasta cooker. With typical commercial European-style cooking suites having a price tag well into the $100k range, a cost not affordable for a County tech school program, the challenge was being able to provide the experience and yet still stay within budget. The solution was an innovative modular suite design. |READ MORE|


    TESTIMONIAL

    “Jim Richards Jr was very instrumental with the design and layout of the Suncoast Technical College Culinary Arts Department. I can honestly say that Jim exceeded our expectations.”

    Lead Chef Instructor of Culinary Arts, Suncoast Technical College, Sarasota, Florida


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    *Project design completed by Jim Richards, Jr while employed by Fishman & Associates

    Project Details

    A look at Sarasota Technical College's Bistro 502 in Sarasota, Florida. The facility opened in 2011 and serves lunch to students and the public. Jim Richards, Jr served as the Food Service Consultant on the project providing design services, equipment specification and overall project management.* The architectural firm of record is Schenkel Shultz Architecture (Sarasota, FL), Willis A. Smith Construction (Sarasota, FL) served as General Contractor and the Food Service Equipment Contractor was Beltram Restaurant Equipment (Fort Meyers, FL).

    • Attractive Design
    • Budget Conscious
    • Innovative Design