Collegiate Restaurant’s next chapter as a learning lab

Plans are progressing as Alfred State will begin operating the Collegiate Restaurant, a landmark restaurant for over one hundred years in the village of Alfred. After multiple generations of service, the Ninos family has entrusted Alfred State to manage the restaurant as a learning lab for students.

Since Alfred State President Dr. Steven Mauro announced that the college would take over operation of the restaurant, plans have been put into high gear to continue the tradition of serving great food to a great community.

The Collegiate will temporarily close on June 16 to prepare the space and the new management team, with plans to reopen later in the summer. During the interim, Alfred State is providing food service at the site thanks to its food truck, the Feast Beast for select food menu options. (The Feast Beast will be open starting on June 24.)

“The Feast Beast will allow us to still offer a limited menu to the community while we prepare for reopening the main restaurant later this summer,” commented Vice President for Finance and Administration Ryan LaBrozzi. “Details on hours and menu options are still being worked out, but we are excited to maintain a presence during the closure period until we are fully operational.”

During the summer closure, Alfred State will be working to prepare the Collegiate to reopen not only as the restaurant enjoyed by so many over the years but as a learning lab for students enrolled in the college’s Culinary Arts program. In addition to Culinary Arts students, various other ASC students will use the restaurant as a learning opportunity in business, finance, graphic design, and marketing.

“Alfred State is excited with the progress we have made in assuming the operation of the Collegiate,” commented President Mauro. “We are thankful for all the help and guidance we have received from John Ninos and his family, and we can’t wait to continue their legacy with the re-opening of the restaurant later this summer.”