Coburn Palmer/Roundup
It’s the first day of school, the sun is shining, and students are hungry.
The Country Café is closed and the new cafeteria will not be ready for some time, but students still need to eat.
Bruce Hecker, an experienced motion picture caterer and restaurant owner, competed in a taste testing in order to win the opportunity to serve food on Pierce College campus.
“A bunch of company’s applied,” Hecker said.
The new Park Café will operate until construction on the new cafeteria is complete.
“The outdoor seating is pretty cool,” said Sophomore Mike Vergara.
The café serves sandwiches, burgers, and Mexican food. Orders are placed at the main table in front and students are given tickets, which they give to the food truck vendors in exchange for their food.
“The trucks are under contract,” said Larry Kraus, Associate Vice President of
Administration. “They pay the college to be here.”
The different food trucks, and the hotdog vendor pay Pierce College a combined total of about $1000 a month.
“Its dining outside, its unique,” said Kraus.
Bruce Hecker of Bruce’s Gourmet Catering inspects every detail of his Park Cafe before the first students arrive in the newly-opened Pierce Plaza section of the Pierce Mall on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011. The early morning lull was short-lived as word spread across campus and students flocked to the mobile eatery. (UD)
Open air tents highlight the outdoor dining area of the Park Cafe in the newly-opened Pierce Plaza section of the Pierce Mall on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011. The early morning walk was the first for any Pierce student as the area was only just opened to the public for the Spring 2011 semester. (UD)