One of the most unique activities that ACC students participate in is Off the Pike, where students in the Culinary program run a food truck and pop-up restaurant. The students gain hands-on authentic food service and hospitality industry experience while also fundraising for the program. Typically these events make anywhere from $1000 to $1500 depending on the turn-out which is used to fund the program and everything they do.

The process for making Off the Pike possible includes training for dining room service, the POS (Point of Sale) system, food preparation techniques, and how to be a good host. In addition, all the training, developing the menu, and marketing the event are also main aspects of preparing for Off the Pike. 

The most recent Off the Pike pop-up restaurant event on December 14 had a menu that included two salads, three entrees, two desserts, and four bottomless drink options. Plus, 34 students participated, which is about half of the entire Culinary program. 

Later this school year, another Off the Pike pop-up restaurant event will happen in February, and the Off the Pike Food truck will be back in service in the Spring of 2024. The Culinary Competition Team will also be competing in various events for scholarship prizes from February through June.

ACC looks forward to seeing what else the Culinary students put together for the Arlington Community and wishes them the best of luck for the competitions.