ADAM TRIPP

Located in the Macdonald-Stewart Hall on north campus, PJ’s Restaurant in the Atrium, (PJ’s) is a short walk from any main campus building, and is open during lunch hours.

Named one of the greenest restaurants in Canada by LEAF, an organization that specializes in environmentally accountable foodservice, PJ’s operates with a focus on sustainability, as well as being environmentally conscious when preparing their food and serving their guests. PJ’s is a themed restaurant that is a project of the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, and I was lucky enough to be able to dine there on Oct. 27. Being student run, PJ’s is more than just a restaurant. It is a space that provides students the opportunity to gain experiential learning in a uniquely integrated way. Students have complete control over the menu and presentation of the restaurant, which allows for a creativity and freedom that is seldom experienced in other kitchens and learning environments.

As well, any money made from the restaurant is allocated back into the program fund, which allows for PJ’s to continue providing opportunities for students to participate in the university’s sustainable restaurant project.

I was able to speak with Mya Citringo, a student taking part in the PJ’s restaurant project this semester, and discuss her experiences with PJ’s.

I asked Mya what three things she would like to tell the average student about PJs if they were unfamiliar. Mya explained that PJ’s consists of mostly nutrition students, and PJs is a restaurant operations course, meaning that these students had the unique ability to learn in an otherwise unavailable setting: the restaurant.

She said that the students taking part in PJ’s have genuine agency in their work, from getting to decide the menu to the choice of presentation and theme of the restaurant. Mya also said that PJ’s operates as a learning space for the students to practice skills as well as develop a more diverse set of learning capabilities.

PJ’s is not only a restaurant with food that is high quality, sustainable, and accessible. It is a place that affords nutrition and hospitality students the opportunity to develop their skills as students, but also as people who care and want to brighten others’ days. My meal at PJ’s was enjoyable, but not only because of the food. It was enjoyable because I felt genuine happiness and commitment to my having the best possible experience from the students who were running the restaurant. I would highly recommend paying a visit to PJ’s, and not only for the food, but for those who make it.

To book yourself a table, you can go to their Instagram @pjs_ restaurant.

PJ’s Restaurant in the Atrium allows students to gain unique experience in a professional restaurant. CREDIT: PJ's

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