The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and Rustic Kitchen are collaborating on a monthly event called 'Chef for a Night.' Students at the culinary school are selected by Rustic Kitchen Executive Chef Tom Holloway to participate as the student sous chef and pastry chef for night. Students work with Holloway to plan the evening's menu specials, write dish descriptions, shop for the ingredients, work with the kitchen and waitstaff, and prepare the dishes for one night during busy dinner hours.

The students receive the opportunity, experience, and curriculum credit  of being a “Chef for a Night” at the award-winning Italian-inspired bistro. Students are featured on a special menu for the night.

Nicole Husen, graduate of the Professional Chef's Program in June 2006, was the first 'Chef for a Night.' Husen worked with Holloway to create dinner specials that included Boccancini, Grilled Venison, and Pan Seared Stripped Bass.

The next event featured two CSCA students: Terri Rutter, a student in the Professional Chef's Program, and Yanca Ismail, a student in the Professional Pastry Program. Rutter worked with the chef to create Cold Seafood Salad, Fried Spinach Ravioli, Lamb Osso Bucco, and Halibut Filet. Ismail worked with Rustic Pastry Chef Meghan McGarry to design the evening's dessert special—Key Lime Cannoli, Lemon Pound Cake, and Lemon and Raspberry Sorbet.

Elizabeth Grunes, student in the Professional Chef's Program, rounded out the spring series on June 21. She created Stuffed Tomato Salad, Roasted Asparagus, Pan Seared Halibut Filet, and Mushroom Ravioli for the 'Chef for a Night' menu.

The collaboration will begin again on September 20, 2006. All friends, students, and alumni of the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and Rustic Kitchen are invited to attend.

Rustic Kitchen Cambridge is located at 1815 Massachusetts Ave. Porter Square. 617-354-7766. www.RusticKitchen.biz. Open Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10p.m., Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat 3-11p.m.; and Sun Brunch 11a.m.-4p.m., Sun Dinner 4-11pm, AE, MC, Vi .  Full bar . Validated parking behind building. Street-level access via rear parking lot.