CK Cafe Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Grand Opening!

CK-Cafe, Taylor County High School's newest student-based enterprise, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony opened with remarks from Mr. Neil Sanders, TCHS Principal. He thanked our students and staff for their hard work and dedication in getting the cafe up and running. "These students feel a great sense of pride to be a part of this and should feel very honored to be the first group of students selected to bring our cafe to life." He explained that students enrolled in the culinary pathway at Taylor County High School gain real-world experience through CK-Cafe, where they develop hands-on skills in cooking, baking, and customer service while managing a professional kitchen and restaurant environment. "We are very excited to begin this venture and add to our already successful student-based enterprises here at Taylor County Schools."

Thayden Epperson, TCHS senior, shared an overview of the CK-Cafe, highlighting its hours of operation and the variety of student-led roles that make the enterprise thrive. He also gave a powerful personal reflection on how his experiences in the program have shaped his goals — preparing him to further his education at Sullivan University, explore culinary traditions around the world, and ultimately return to Taylor County to open his own restaurant and give back to his community.

Jaiden Vinson, TCHS senior, highlighted the different menu options, emphasizing that the offerings are homemade! Some of the menu options include a pizza panini, an Italian grinder salad, and a "Soup of the Day!" She also shared a heartfelt reflection on how her journey in the culinary pathway allows her to pursue not only her own passion for cooking but also to carry forward her mother’s dream.

Nashya Winfrey, TCHS junior, shared details on the cafe's Facebook and Instagram accounts, CK-Cafe, where they post new menu items, pictures, and events happening at the cafe. She also reflected on how working at CK-Café has given her valuable insight into both business operations and culinary practices, helping her gain real-world experience in the field.

Jordan Scott, a TCHS senior, concluded the ceremony by thanking everyone for coming and inviting them to lunch after the ribbon cutting.

𝐂𝐊-𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓! Their hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM for lunch, and the bakery is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM. More information regarding the cafe can be found on their website.

Expect greatness from our career and technical education!