Design Pathway

Santa Ana Table: Wolf It Down

Restaurant Design Project

Sophomore design students at Samueli Academy take part in an immersive, hands-on project that brings together creativity, collaboration, and real-world business skills. Working in teams, students design and develop their own unique restaurant concepts from the ground up. Each group creates a distinct theme, logo, and brand identity while identifying their target customer base and crafting a detailed vision for their dining experience. From designing the restaurant layout and interior atmosphere to building a menu and forming a business plan, students explore every aspect of what it takes to launch a successful restaurant.

The project culminates in an exciting culinary challenge, where teams prepare and present a signature dish from their menu in a class cook-off. Winning teams advance to the final competition, “WOLF IT DOWN,” where they showcase their skills to a panel of local chefs, restaurant owners, and hospitality professionals. Dishes are judged on taste, creativity, and presentation, while all teams also pitch their full restaurant concepts. This experience not only highlights students’ innovation and teamwork but also gives them a taste of the fast-paced world of the culinary and hospitality industry.