WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: School District of Manatee County
A five-year-old boy walks up to our table, his straw hat and flowery shirt matching the restaurant’s décor. His name tag displays his title: Host.
“Are you having a nice time?” he asks, smiling. We nod and smile back.
“Good.” He moves off, on his way to ensure others are having a similarly nice time.
Soon, a little girl approaches, her traditional dress a swirl of color. Her name tag reads Waitress.
“Can I get you a drink?” she asks.
We say yes, please—what are our options?
“I don’t know,” she says brightly.
There is a unique joy in attending a restaurant run entirely by kindergarteners; it feels like a win-win for everyone. The kids put their newfound skills into practice and experience a sense of pride, and the adults get to eat delicious food while being constantly entertained.
Tara Elementary’s Banana Leaf Restaurant opened its doors this past May for the sixteenth year, thanks to the tireless efforts of kindergarten teacher Josephine Johnson and her supportive Filipino community. She started the tradition in 2010 at Ballard Elementary—held in a classroom back then—but it moved with Mrs. Johnson to Tara in 2015, where the event now takes over the entire cafeteria.
The night opened with Mrs. Johnson welcoming the guests, and then each kindergartener introduced themselves and explained their role. Hosts, waiters/waitresses, bussers, cooks, and cashiers filled the stage before scurrying off to their tasks. The kids showed the guests to their beautifully decorated tables, took drink orders, handed out meal tickets, and directed people to the buffet line and its spread of Filipino food. While Mrs. Johnson and her friends did most of the cooking, the kids helped with prep beforehand—discovering new spices and even learning about things like food hygiene and allergies—and now helped serve.
“This is a special event that brings our school and families together,” said Tara’s principal, Kali Anges. “The students work on it all year. They practice writing, problem-solving, math skills, teamwork, and speaking respectfully with adults. They’re building their confidence by taking on real responsibilities, and they also get to learn about Filipino culture.”
The idea behind the Banana Leaf Restaurant centers on helping kids learn, but as Mrs. Anges says, it’s also a celebration of community. Mrs. Johnson and her friends have spent years cooking together on weekends. When she decided to bring Filipino culture into her classroom through a restaurant project, they helped turn the idea into reality.
“I couldn’t pull this event off without them,” Mrs. Johnson said.
On the night, parents, grandparents, and siblings sat together with other families. One student even invited their neighbors. With the bustling buffet line and the kindergarteners moving from table to table in their restaurant roles, it felt less like a typical school event and more like a large family dinner.
The restaurant holds fond memories for former students, too, many of whom came back to help. It has become such a meaningful tradition that some parents even request Mrs. Johnson as their child’s teacher because they want their children to have this experience.
“I love how this reveals the kids’ different personalities, their talents and interests,” Mrs. Johnson said. Some are outgoing and eager to talk with guests. Others would rather clear dishes and work behind the scenes. Some gravitate toward the math and finance aspects, while others want to prep food or design the menus. The event and all its prep help the kids recognize their own strengths and see how every role contributes to the success of the team. It also nudges them towards greater confidence as they try something new. Many adults spend years learning these lessons; Mrs. Johnson is giving her students a head start.
To end the evening, our young host and waitress joined their classmates on stage to perform the songs they’d practiced for months. Proud parents recorded and took pictures, and every guest couldn’t help smiling. Not many things are cuter than beaming kindergarteners in colorful outfits, singing their hearts out. And not much is more inspiring than a class of five-year-olds bringing a community together while discovering their own place within it.
