Bistro 81

Copley-Fairlawn High School Culinary Arts Kitchen | Copley, OH

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.

Deliverables

• Complete culinary kitchen package for Bistro 81’s student-run restaurant and training program.
• Blend of new and certified used equipment to balance quality, performance, and long-term value.
• Reliable cooking, refrigeration, and prep equipment to support daily instruction and service.
• Dishwashing, storage, and serving solutions designed for both classroom and public use.
• Installation support to ensure safety, efficiency, and seamless integration with the new layout.

What Burkett Did

Burkett partnered with Copley-Fairlawn High School to design and supply 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.

Services Provided

• Consultation and layout support tailored to culinary education goals
• Selection and procurement of new and certified used commercial equipment
• Coordination with contractors throughout design and installation
• Guidance for staff on equipment setup, use, and safety

Project Completed

2025

With the goal of building a professional-grade culinary classroom for Copley-Fairlawn High School, Burkett focused on outfitting Bistro 81—the school’s student-run restaurant—with equipment that delivers both educational value and commercial performance. Working closely with the district and program instructors, our team developed a kitchen layout that supports real-world restaurant operations while maintaining the safety and flexibility required for hands-on learning.

Each piece of equipment was carefully chosen to help students master every aspect of food preparation, service, and management. The challenge was to create a professional training kitchen that feels authentic to the restaurant industry while remaining practical for instruction and daily student use.

By incorporating a mix of new and Burkett Certified Used equipment, the school achieved a fully functional culinary lab and restaurant at exceptional value—backed by Burkett’s restoration process, warranty assurance, and long-term service support.

Brands & Products Provided:

• Delfield – Custom merchandisers and serving counters (designed for efficient food presentation and smooth front-of-house service)
• Southbend – 10-burner range with double oven and double-deck convection oven (versatile, high-capacity cooking for instructional and restaurant use)
• Manitowoc – High-volume ice maker with high-capacity ice bin (steady ice supply for beverage service and culinary preparation)
• Carter-Hoffmann – Hot holding cabinets (maintains ideal serving temperatures during class service)
• True – Undercounter refrigerator (reliable, space-saving cold storage for ingredients and daily prep)
• Kolpak – Walk-in cooler and freezer combo with floor (secure, energy-efficient cold storage for ingredients and prepared foods)
• Metro – Shelving and dunnage racks (organized, durable storage throughout the kitchen and back-of-house areas)
• Vulcan – Salamander broiler and high-capacity fryer (flexible cooking equipment for menu variety and student training)
• Burkett Certified Used Equipment – Sinks, floor mixer, kettle, braising skillet, multiple convection ovens, heated holding cabinet, planetary mixer, convection steamer, food serving counters, steam tables, and more from top brands (reconditioned to deliver quality, performance, and value)

With Key Partnerships From:

BISTRO 81 FULL GALLERY