Inspired by: Castles - Week 5

The 'Café Atlantis' activity is a creative task that explores how language, structure, and presentation in menus can influence the dining experience and appeal to different audiences. Students are invited to imagine the bustling Café Atlantis, strategically located to cater to the appetites of divers exploring the Lost Castle of Atlantis near the Great Barrier Reef. The key learning objective is to identify how the choice of words, menu layout, and overall design play a pivotal role in conveying a restaurant's brand and attracting a specific clientele.

Students are encouraged to compare a variety of menus from different food establishments, such as Loch Fyne, FishBar, A la Carte, and Rock Fish Grill, alongside a local fish and chip takeaway menu. They will investigate the nuances in style and vocabulary that each menu uses to entice customers and how these elements align with the restaurant's desired image. By grading the menus from least to most formal, students will examine the impact of naming conventions (café, bistro, grill, restaurant) on perceived formality and customer expectations. The analysis will extend to deciding which type of diner Café Atlantis aims to attract and how this target audience will influence the style and presentation of the menu. Ultimately, students will apply their findings to design a menu for Café Atlantis that reflects both the underwater theme and the desired dining experience.