Port Byron Central School District

For the past six weeks, ninth graders in Alicia Mitchelson’s Spanish 2 class have been immersed in a hands-on, engaging project—En el Restaurante—where they explored Spanish cuisine and culture.

Students began by learning key vocabulary related to food and drinks, including entradas (appetizers), platos principales (main courses), and postres (desserts). With this foundation, they took on various restaurant roles—prepping, cooking, cleaning, hosting, and serving—while creating their own Spanish-themed dining experience.

"I have had a lot of fun, and I feel like I’ve learned so much about food from other cultures," said Eleanor McNally.

The class had full creative control, from naming their restaurant to designing invitations and crafting menus entirely in Spanish. The project culminated in a restaurant opening on Thursday where students showcased their culinary skills by serving meals to administrators and faculty in the high school cafeteria. Using the new home economics room, they prepared authentic Spanish-inspired dishes while practicing their language skills in a real-world setting.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. 

“The flavors were amazing, and the service was impeccable! They are doing a great job,” said Tracy Musso, A.A. Gates Principal.

Next week, students will debrief by reflecting on what worked well and what could be improved. They will also interview one another to share feedback and reviews of the experience.

“I am incredibly proud of their teamwork, creativity, and dedication to making this project a success,” said Mitchelson. “I’m excited to continue growing this project each year and grateful to my students, faculty, and staff for their support throughout.”