Applewood Cafe’s Debut on the Bricks, Downtown Flint

LABRIA LANE, Local Food Marketing Representative

For many years, the Applewood Cafe, Mott Community College’s (MCC) culinary education restaurant, was hidden away on its main campus in Flint. With tables dressed in white tablecloths and starched navy blue napkins folded to look like swans or flowers, this facility was used to provide a high-end culinary education for thousands of students and a wonderful culinary experience for many guests. But, on January 23, 2020, the doors opened to the new home of MCC’s culinary institute, Applewood on Second and Saginaw.

Inside the new building, the updated kitchen equipment will advance their students’ education in ways the prior facility had not. Inside the Second and Saginaw space, students will whip up chocolates in the chocolate confection room, master loaves in their new bakery, make homemade sausages in the meat lab, and deliver enjoyable meals from their new kitchen to the dining room. MCC instructor and Award winning Chef, Mathew Cooper, is excited to have this new facility. "These advancements support our partners,” says Cooper. “Our partners are our community. That's what community college is for."

Many local businesses utilize these programs as building blocks for employee career development. In addition to associates degrees in Culinary Arts, Bakery and Pastry Arts, and Food Service Management, students can also earn a certificate in Professional Baking or Cooking. MCC’s Culinary Arts program fosters partnerships with local businesses and raises up chefs working throughout the state. Make your reservation at Applewood on Second and Saginaw to experience’s MCC’s Culinary program’s emphasis on the importance of fresh produce and high quality goods made from scratch.