THOMASVILLE — Cinnamon rolls, vegetable soup, spaghetti and pizza conjure pleasant memories among Thomas County Schools officials directing Thomas County Central High School (TCCHS) cafeteria activity.

On Monday, the TCCHS student body of more than 1,600 will be exposed to a new, mall-like cafeteria twice the size of the facility in which students dined in the past.

With the addition of floor space from the old media center, the cafeteria has increased from 3,400 to 7,800 square feet. Former seating capacity of 300 will double.

“We ordered 13,000 square feet of tile. That includes waste,” said John Hebron, Thomas County Schools facilities director.

On Thursday morning, the mammoth cafeteria resembled a theatrical stage on opening night. School employees and people involved in the delivery and installation of equipment moved about quickly, putting their expertise in motion for when the curtain rises Monday on the new facility.

“We feed around 1,100 kids daily,” said Karen Green, school nutrition director. The school previously had four lunch periods. Larger quarters will reduce the number to three.

“We’re adding two feeding lines,” Green explained. “Hopefully, we’ll feed a lot more children.”

New cafeteria lines are:

• Jacket Express — Subs, hot wraps, chef’s salad

• Two Stinger lines — Sandwiches

• J Daddys — Home-cooking

Boneless hot wings, baked egg rolls and pizza made with low-fat cheese and whole-grain crust are among new menu items.

“We’re adding steamed squash this year,” Green explained.

The pattern of squares on the floor and the cobalt-blue ceramic tile on a wall mimic square cafeteria ceiling tiles, which have been raised about two feet.

Green and school Superintendent Jean Quigg recalled cinnamon rolls when asked to name their favorite school cafeteria food.