The concept of Saber Bistro has existed for a while, but has only been brought back recently in the newest building at JCHS, using professional tools and appliances. Now, James Campbell High School (JCHS) boasts an in-school, student-run restaurant held in the T-Building, organized by Julie Morihara-Itagaki, JCHS culinary teacher, using the culinary classrooms on the first floor.
Saber Bistro opened on September 12, 2025, as a private event. Its chefs, Culinary Four students, applied skills they learned in the prior three levels of Culinary classes that led up to Kitchen Restaurant Operations. Students earn a summative grade for their work and operate the restaurant together in a professional setting using proper safety and sanitization practices.
“What better way to show our culinary skills than to actually open a full-fledged restaurant,” Morihara said. Saber Bistro was opened with the hopes that Culinary Four students, who act as the chefs, would have a chance to showcase their skills in a professional setting by cooking and serving food to people and gaining experience in running a restaurant.
Rowena Martinez, Saber Bistro customer and JCHS staff member, said, “The students that were assigned to attend to us and bring our meal and clear our table, provide our refreshments and replenish our drinks were very attuned to us.”
Saber Bistro was created after T-Building was built when Culinary Four students from Morihara’s class moved from G-Building to T-Building. With the move, students had access to a much better kitchen and dining areas. Instead of Saber Cafe, a new idea, Saber Bistro, was opened using the facilities in T-Building. This instance of Saber Bistro was created with a Kimchi theme in mind, consisting of spicier food, which proved popular with many guests. The predetermined menu consisted of an appetizer of Crispy Shrimp Dumplings with Pineapple Slaw and Avocado Crema, an entree of Korean Inspired Loco Moco, a dessert of Lychee Coconut Sherbert with Lime Pie Squares, and a pineapple inspired drink for refreshments.
With its opening, Saber Bistro highlights the value of career and technical education for students, helping them practice and use skills learned in class in real-life scenarios and allows students to showcase their skills to staff and parents alike.
