The Center for Food & Hospitality Management’s student-run restaurant and bar, the Academic Bistro, received a new makeover over the past summer. Not only was the space redecorated with new rugs, walls, art, tables, chairs and lighting — but the updates incorporated the center’s relationships within the industry in Philadelphia.
New wall art includes photographs shot by Jason Varney, BS photography ’01, a local food and lifestyle photographer and notable Drexel alumnus who recently exhibited a show at his alma mater.
The accent wall of wooden wine crates was built by Paul O’Neill, an assistant clinical professor of hospitality, who took apart wine boxes and nailed them together to resemble a previous installation that is currently on display at Osteria (a local Italian restaurant opened by noted restaurateur Marc Vetri ’90, who also has taught classes at the center).
The Academic Bistro functions as a restaurant and bar — both of which are regularly used by internal Drexel organizations and groups, and also by outside companies. Students in both the Department of Culinary Arts & Sciences and the Department of Hospitality Management also use the space to cook for, serve and host at these events and offerings.