A new restaurant in Portsmouth, NH has given students new opportunities. On March 1st, a new restaurant called Tuscan Kitchen made a statement at its grand opening on Lafayette Rd. by using spotlights and the owner’s fancy cars to intrigue customers. It is now serving high-end Italian dinner, cocktails, beer, and wine everyday, along with Italian imported bread before your meal, and will soon be serving lunch and breakfast.

Paula Glynn, a current hostess at Tuscan Kitchen, and a parent of a Portsmouth High School student, said, “It was harder finding a job before it (Tuscan Kitchen) was open because I’m older. I do think the restaurant wants a younger staff and I see a lot of familiar faces that are around my son’s age.” Paula added, “I work long hours and it’s tough on my body, but it’s still fun. It is a very clean and enjoyable atmosphere for the customers, but very strict and demanding for the staff. So far, the youngsters handle things fine.” Paula started working there about a week prior to the opening and works about thirty hours a week.

Jack McManus, a junior at Portsmouth High School, is a bus boy at Tuscan and said, “It wasn’t too difficult to find a job for me because once I started looking for a job I saw Tuscan Kitchen was hiring. It is a cool atmosphere and is fun to work. About ten other kids that go to PHS also work there, and so far I love working with everyone. They’re all really nice and we work well as a team.” Jack works two-three days a week, for four-to-five hour shifts.