The Culinary Arts Department hosted the second themed menu of the spring series in the Student Center, which started on March 1 and finished on March 3.

The event cost $10 and was RSVP-only, with 20 Cerritos College staff members present for the five-meal entry on the first day.

The theme was put together by chef, activist and humanitarian Alice Louise Waters.

One student that helped orchestrate the menu was culinary arts advanced course student Grace Gonzalez.

“I did a report on her my very first semester,” she said, “so that’s why I chose her and I like the vegetables that are very bright and colorful.”

Grace and her peers’ main goal throughout the event was to emulate the style of Waters without the use of a recipe.

One Cerritos College staff member who loved the food was librarian Valencia Mitchell, who had nothing but good things to say about her first five-course experience.

“They run a tight ship here and it is very great,” Mitchell said.

Someone more critical of the food was culinary arts instructor Michael Pierini.

Pierini said the first day was challenging because the health inspector came during the meals.

“A big curveball. It’s a random, whenever-they-want-to-come-in thing,” Perini said.

On top of that, he said Tuesdays are usually the busiest days in the café, when they serve about 200 plates.

In about three weeks, another menu will be available for those who RSVP in time.

The next themed restaurant will be open to the student body. Students interested can talk to the cashier at the cafe.