Copley-Fairlawn Middle School culinary arts classroom entrance sign and hallway

Education

Bistro 81

Copley, OH

Bistro 81—a professional culinary classroom where students operate a full-service restaurant open to the public. Our team provided a carefully planned mix of new and certified used equipment, maximizing functionality and value while creating an authentic training environment. The result is a fully operational, student-run space that brings education and real-world foodservice together under one roof.

Bistro 81 Gallery

Commercial kitchen cookline with salamander broiler, fryers, and ventilation hood in school cafeteria kitchen

Commercial deep fryers with baskets in school cafeteria kitchen for high-volume food preparation

Commercial dishwashing machine with pre-rinse station in school cafeteria kitchen

Commercial kitchen line with gas ranges, ovens, and stainless steel ventilation hood in school cafeteria kitchen

School cafeteria prep area with ice machine, storage shelving, and handwashing sink

Commercial kitchen plumbing with food waste disposer and control system under prep sink

How Burkett Helped

Burkett partnered with Copley-Fairlawn High School to equip Bistro 81, a student-run restaurant and culinary arts training kitchen operated through the Four Cities Compact. Designed to replicate an industry-standard foodservice environment, the space gives high school juniors and seniors practical experience in every aspect of restaurant operations—from cooking and baking to menu planning and management.

The goal was to create a durable, efficient culinary lab that meets educational standards while preparing students for careers in hospitality. Burkett supplied and installed a mix of new and certified used commercial equipment to balance performance, safety, and long-term value.

Key Services Provided

Custom Layout & Design Consultation

Expert planning of kitchen footprints and station workflows tailored to specific operational goals, from K-12 cafeterias to food trucks.

Equipment Specification & Sourcing

Curated selection of new, certified used, and scratch-and-dent equipment across top brands to match menu requirements and budget.

Stakeholder Coordination

End-to-end oversight of timelines and active collaboration with contractors, manufacturer reps, and facility managers.

Staff Training & Safety Guidance

On-site instruction for operators and staff regarding equipment setup, proper usage, and safety protocols during the hand-off phase.

Matt Calvelage | Senior Project Manager

"Seeing the Copley-Fairlawn culinary classroom come together was a proud moment for our team. Projects like this show how thoughtful planning and collaboration can create a space that truly inspires students and supports their learning experience."