During his tenure as a Food Service Consultant, Jim Richards, Jr has had the pleasure of working with several School Districts in the design of their K-12 schools. One of his early projects was the High School Kitchen/Cafeteria project at Riverview High School in Sarasota County Florida.
The project presented many challenges such as historical preservation of buildings causing site restrictions. Due to the site restrictions, the school’s new kitchen and cafeteria ended up being designed in a very long and narrow space. It was especially non-conducive to a typical design of a high school cafeteria.
The solution was a peninsula-style entree area that included four tray lines. Additionally, six additional “grab-n-go” serving lines were provided; two were located in the middle of the dining room, two were located at the opposite end of the dining room from the kitchen and two faced the outdoor patio. The stations were completely self-sufficient with accommodation for hot and cold holding. The stations could be stocked prior to and for the duration of all three lunch periods.
Altogether, the ten stations split the student body into manageable groups, provided greater supervision, and enabling the limited staff to easily feed students within the thrity minute lunch periods. The “grab-n-go” stations provided the students with a greater sense of choice. Because the grab-n-go stations were identical they could be opened and closed depending on the demand and staff availability.
TESTIMONIAL
“Jim Richards Jr was involved in many kitchen designs with the School Board of Sarasota County. Jim is respectful of clients’ knowledge and preferences, and works with them to find workable, functional solutions. He takes responsibility throughout the design process, and strives to provide a superior experience, and an excellent finished product.”
Beverly L. Girard, Director of Food & Nutrition Services, Sarasota County Schools
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*Project design completed Jim Richards, Jr while employed by Fishman & Associates