The Pomegranate Restaurant describes itself as a “hidden gem” of Fort Erie on its Facebook page.
But that title might be due for an update, as the student-run dining experience at Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS) has become one of the most sought after tickets in town.
Started in 2008 at the now-closed Fort Erie Secondary School (FESS), the restaurant led by teacher Afshin Keyvani hosted seven nights in the first semester of the current school year, and another seven are on the schedule for 2025.
But three of them are already sold out.
February 12, March 5 and 26, as well as April 2 still have reservations available.
“We sell out very fast,” Keyvani told Fort Erie Radio in an interview.
The restaurant relocated when FESS closed and GFESS opened in 2017.
The students take care of every detail of the 36-seat restaurant from setting up proper formal table settings, using fine linens and napkins, to planning and executing the menu.
This experience has given the students skills in the hospitality industry that are essential for success in the real world, said Keyvani, adding that “transferrable skills” like time management, communications, and conflict resolution are things that are very much part of the restaurant industry, but also everyday life.
Many students have won awards and also turned their early beginnings at the Pomegranate into careers, said Keyvani, pointing to former student Chris Willick who is a sous chef at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake, as well as Kelly Plato, a pastry chef turned culinary teacher at Stamford Collegiate in Niagara Falls.
To book a reservation, email Keyvani at afshin.keyvani@dsbn.org.
By Kris Dube
Original Article