What if success could be served on a plate? At the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), that’s exactly what’s happening. The grand opening of the Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School Culinary Café for the 2025–26 school year wasn’t just another event—it was a reminder of why this program matters. For students, the Café is more than a kitchen; it’s a classroom for life where they gain independence, confidence, and pride that comes from teamwork and service.
Elinor Lincoln Hickey student De’Mari Bernstine captured that transformation best: “I learned how to be a waiter—smile, be patient, be respectful, that you serve from the left and move around the table to the right.” His beaming smile throughout the event said what words could not. For staff, families, and the community, it’s proof that programs like this don’t just teach job skills—they restore purpose, dignity, and hope. And that’s the kind of recipe worth keeping alive.
The event, held in the school’s cafeteria, marked the 27th year of the Café, which first opened during the 1998–99 school year. The room was transformed for the occasion, with crisp white tablecloths, fresh flowers from the school’s gardens, and welcoming smiles from student hosts. Guests enjoyed a gourmet lunch featuring tender Persian-style Cornish game hen with fragrant rice pilaf, steamed broccoli, and Funfetti cake topped with crème anglaise for dessert.
Principal Lauren Roth and Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon greeted attendees as they arrived, joining the talented students from Palmiter and the neighboring Hickey campus who are enrolled in the culinary program.
Special guests included representatives from the Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District, Marco Espinosa from Congressman Ami Bera’s office, and Sacramento County Board of Education trustees Dr. Al Brown, Vanessa Caigoy, Bina Lefkovitz, and County Student Board Member Nairobi Dunbar. Guests left inspired—and full—after enjoying the first of many meals planned for this school year, proudly prepared and served by SCOE’s budding culinary professionals.
The Culinary Café has long served as a bridge between school and the professional world, providing students with hands-on experience, connections with industry professionals, and opportunities to refine both technical and social skills. Through the program, students can earn their ServSafe certification—an important credential for employment in the restaurant industry. A Thanksgiving Meal is being planned for November 20, 2025. Visit the Café Calendar for menu details and reservation information.