Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today - 15

The Burkhart Café,
situated in the Burkhart
Center for Autism
Education & Research, is a
collaborative partnership
with Texas Tech Dining
that offers job training
and education to students
with autism, while raising
awareness about autism
within the university and
wider Lubbock community.
(Photos by Evan Wilson,
manager of media content,
Texas Tech University)
at the Burkhart Café, " Voland said.
" It's the perfect environment for our
students to gain valuable job skills
that will serve them both now and in
the future. They are not just training
for a job in food service, but they
are learning how to work as part of a
team, solve problems, and be flexible.
It's also a great opportunity for the
TTU community to interact with
our students and learn more about
autism. "
" It's the perfect
environment for
our students to
gain valuable job
skills that will
serve them both
now and in the
future. They are
not just training
for a job in food
service, but they
are learning how
to work as part
of a team, solve
problems, and be
flexible. " - Susan
Voland, unit manager of
operations at The Burkhart
Center
The impact of the Burkhart Café
transcends the realm of food service
education. It plays a pivotal role in
raising awareness about autism within
the Texas Tech University community
and the Lubbock area. Through daily
interactions with students at the café,
guests have the chance to learn about
the unique talents and capabilities
of individuals with autism, fostering
support and understanding.
But the true success of this
partnership lies in the lives it has
transformed. Graduates of the
Burkhart program, like Michael
Morton, have transitioned into fulltime
employees with campus dining.
Morton joined the team in August
2020, a testament to the program's
ability to empower individuals and
provide them with a brighter future.
The Burkhart Café is open Monday
through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9
p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
making it accessible to a wide range
of patrons. It also accepts on-campus
dining plans, ensuring that students,
faculty, and staff can savor its culinary
offerings conveniently. For added
convenience, the café offers mobile
food ordering, allowing the campus to
support the cause and enjoy delicious
meals with ease.
As the Burkhart Café continues to
evolve, it sets its sights on a future
filled with promise and potential.
With plans for expanded hours,
new menu choices, and enhanced
training programs, the café is poised
to become an even more significant
asset to both the Burkhart Center and
TTU Hospitality Services.
In the ever-changing landscape of
food service, the Burkhart Café stands
as a unique opportunity for education
and campus dining. It exemplifies the
transformative power of collaboration
and partnership. As it continues to
empower individuals with autism,
educate the community, and serve
tasty pizzas and sandwiches, the
Burkhart Café demonstrates the
profound impact that compassion,
dedication, and culinary excellence
can have on the world. It is a place
where campus foodservice and
education converge to create
something truly extraordinary. §
SAVORING CONNECTION, COOKING UP COMMUNITY | CAMPUS DINING TODAY
15
Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today

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