Question of the Day - 08 June 2022

It certainly does still exist. It's not part of UNLV, but it's going strong after many years of training the culinary and housekeeping workforce citywide. 

It's called the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas and each year, several thousand people go through the program in 12 job classifications for the local hospitality industry: baker’s helper, bar apprentice, bar porter, bus person, food server, fountain worker, guest room attendant, house person/utility porter, professional cook, sommelier, steward, and wine server.

The training model simulates actual working conditions wherever possible.

The one you're asking about is the Westside Bistro, located on the main CALV campus at 710 W. Lake Mead Blvd. in North Las Vegas. It's a full-service lunch restaurant that incorporates local produce and ingredients and hosts pop-up brunches and dinners now and again, so that students can gain experience working at different meals and times of the day. It's open to the public weekdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The menu includes three salads ($6.50), burgers and sandwiches ($6-$8), sides ($3), and desserts ($2.50). Proceeds are reinvested in a CALV scholarship fund, which helps fulfill the Academy's vision: "To reduce poverty and eliminate unemployment by providing vocational and job-readiness training to youth, adults, and displaced workers." '

We haven't visited for years, but if the place is as good as the last time we did, and we have no reason to doubt it, they do a very good job of it and it's certainly a worthwhile cause. So thank you for asking.