Article caption: Caden Adams, a junior from Chelmsford, prepares lunch in the kitchen at The Elegant Chef, the in-school, award-winning restaurant at Nashoba Tech.
The Elegant Chef, the in-school restaurant at Nashoba Tech, is back open regularly, from Tuesday through Friday. Of course, you may want to call before you go just to make sure.
Like all restaurants, the award-winning Elegant Chef has faced many dilemmas since COVID-19 entered daily life. Unlike other restaurants, The Elegant Chef also has to adhere to whatever rules the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has in place.
But after close to two years of starts and stops, The Elegant Chef’s three chef-instructors, Jeremy Bussiere, Carly Capraro and Paul Wilson, are happy to be back in business for the public. They’ve spent much of those two years providing lunches for staff – when there was staff in the building, that is.
The second half of the 2019-2020 school year was a loss, as was much of the 2020-2021 year.
But Nashoba Tech has been fully in-person since day one of the current school year, although the restaurant was still not in position to fully open to the public, offering meals for pickup.
The Elegant Chef is still adhering to social-distancing requirements, and there is no longer a Friday buffet.
Those interested in coming in for lunch can call the restaurant at 978-692-9958 to make sure it’s open and to make a reservation.
Something new The Elegant Chef is offering is catering, including lasagna, chicken wings, pulled pork, meatballs and more for large gatherings, like Super Bowl parties. Wilson said the staff and students have also been catering lunch for local senior centers, though not going to the centers.
Jennah Drumm, a junior from Pepperell, prepares paninis at The Elegant Chef, the in-school, award-winning restaurant at Nashoba Tech.
Aleksandra Proulx, a junior from Chelmsford, prepares salad at The Elegant Chef, the in-school, award-winning restaurant at Nashoba Tech.