The kitchens are warming up, and anticipation is building as Café Lee prepares to open for the season at Butler Tech’s Fairfield Township Campus, once again inviting the community to experience student leadership in action.
As Butler Tech places an even stronger emphasis on student-led initiatives during the 2025–2026 school year, Café Lee stands as a clear example of what that commitment looks like in practice. Student leadership has always been part of Butler Tech’s DNA, and this year the district is sharpening that focus across programs. Culinary Arts and Café Lee offer a long-standing model of student-led learning at its best, helping guide and inform how other programs continue to strengthen and expand leadership opportunities.
“Café Lee has always been about trusting students to lead,” said Chef Simpson, Culinary Arts instructor. “I’m incredibly proud of the way our students step up, take ownership, and run every aspect of the experience. My role is often to step back and let them take full control, and they consistently rise to the occasion. To see Café Lee and the senior capstone experience recognized as a model for student-led initiatives across Butler Tech is especially meaningful, because it reflects the leadership, confidence, and professionalism these students build every single day.”
Opening later this month, Café Lee will welcome the public for lunch on Wednesdays and Thursdays, offering a rotating, themed menu created entirely by students. Every dish is made from scratch using fresh ingredients and industry-standard techniques, delivering a true restaurant-quality experience while showcasing the depth of student skill.
What sets Café Lee apart, beyond the quality of its made-from-scratch food, is the level of responsibility placed directly in students’ hands. Senior students serve as executive chefs and restaurant managers during their assigned weeks, overseeing menu development, kitchen operations, service flow, and the overall guest experience. These students aren’t just learning about leadership. They are practicing it in a real-world setting where decisions matter and outcomes are immediate.
The opening of Café Lee also marks the continuation of a broader learning experience that extends beyond the restaurant. Throughout the year, Culinary Arts students apply the same leadership and technical skills while catering community events and operating the Bistro Bus food truck, where they represent Butler Tech while gaining valuable experience in professional, public-facing environments.
Whether you’re planning a lunch break or choosing a visit based on your favorite cuisine, Café Lee offers more than a meal. It offers a front-row seat to student leadership, hands-on learning, and career-ready preparation. Making this season’s opening both a celebration and a statement of what’s possible when students are trusted to lead.
Location:
Café Lee
D. Russel Lee Building
Fairfield Township Campus
3603 Hamilton Middletown Road
Fairfield Township, Ohio 45011
Days & Times:
Open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Menus will be posted each Monday, along with a link to make reservations on Facebook.
Facebook: Butler Tech Culinary Arts
Facebook.com/butlertechculinaryarts
