SMITHFIELD - Holly Johnson has had plenty of fast-food jobs over the years. But she has higher ambitions for her food-service career than making hamburgers.

"I want to have my own restaurant one day," said Johnson, who lives in the Meadow community.

After a 12-week program, she's one step closer to that goal. Johnson is in the first graduating class of the Cyber Café - the once-shuttered Johnston Medical Mall eatery that's been transformed into a hands-on culinary-training program.

Johnson and eight other students - most of whom have struggled to find jobs - graduated earlier this month from the program. Armed with several certifications, the students are prepared for a variety of restaurant jobs.

"We'll be able to help them with the job search," said Shirley Chamberlain, business-development manager for the Cyber Café.

The program started in September after Johnston Health board member Jim Jenkins approached Johnston County Industries about taking over the eatery. The hospital system closed the Cyber Café after sales dropped. JCI saw an opportunity to train workers. "We didn't want to do it as a business," said Patricia Little, JCI's director of program services.

JCI won a $178,476 grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce and Capital Area Workforce Development to fund the program for two years. After that, "we hope in two years the café can support itself," Little said.

That'll take community support for the culinary students' efforts. In addition to daily classes from a Johnston Community College instructor - with topics ranging from nutrition to food safety - students serve lunch and dinner to the public on weekdays. Their menu includes sandwiches, burgers, baked goods and daily specials.

For JCC, it's the first culinary program offered in years. And it's one of the college's first partnerships to provide classes alongside hands-on work, said Vic McCormick, director of continuing education. "I'm hoping the program will grow," he said. "All nine of (the students) wanted an advanced class."

After the program, the students have their ServeSafe certification and Career Readiness Certificate. Those are qualifications that higher-end restaurants often look for.

Job coaches will help place the students in area restaurants, and they're looking for business owners willing to take on eager new employees. Chamberlain said incentives are available for participating restaurants.

As she prepares to move on, Johnson looks back fondly on her time at the Cyber Café. "It was a wonderful experience," she said, adding that her knowledge of the restaurant business has improved dramatically. "I didn't know what a quiche was until I made one."