Since opening in 1990, The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch has served as a learn-by-doing classroom for The Collins College of Hospitality Management, where students rotate through nearly every restaurant role — from food preparation and service to leadership and management. Coco Ramirez (‘26), Mateo Lopez (‘27), Efren Kao (‘26) and James Cruz (‘26), along with award-winning California-Filipino fusion restaurateur Mike Obedoza (‘08), share how RKR has helped them explore career paths, develop confidence as leaders, exercise creativity and prepare for the hospitality industry. The article also features interviews with Hospitality Management Lecturer Lesley Butler, Executive Chef Matthew Vaillette and Theatre Lecturer Michael Kachingue.

This article was originally published by Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on September 29, 2026.