The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (SAIT) John Ware building, home to its School of Hospitality and Tourism, has finally tied up the bow on its revitalization process, which began in 2017.
David Ross, SAIT’s president and CEO, said the improvements include modernized kitchens and a reimagined student-run restaurant, The Highwood Kitchen and Bar, which is not yet open to the public.
Ross also announced that SAIT has opened the National Centre for Culinary Arts in this building, which has existed for over 75 years, and a new Banff campus, expected to open by early 2028 at the latest.
With this and the Calgary campus’s facelift, he said the country’s oldest culinary school is ready to take it to the next level, something he believes matters as Alberta’s visitor economy grows.
“I’ve heard great culinary talent does more than create exceptional food. Of course, hospitality [and] exceptional service does more,” said Ross.
“I think it does a lot more. I think it brings people together. I think it allows people to share experiences, and I think it helps define a destination.”
James Overall, the school’s dean, said the new building will help the city and the province make their mark on the map as a must-see destination by giving students the tools they need to be the best they can be.
“This space is ready to deliver a new standard of teaching and learning excellence,” he said.
“A national standard that reflects the long-standing reputation that we have built as a leader in the culinary and hospitality education space as Canada’s oldest publicly funded culinary schools.”
Building is ‘setting me up for that new, successful future,’ says student
The provincial government first announced the revitalization in 2022, investing $41 million in the project. Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education, Myles McDougall, attended the unveiling Wednesday afternoon and reiterated the need to meet industry demand for skilled workers.
“These world-class spaces will give students hands-on experience in settings that reflect today’s workplaces, helping their education connect to industry needs,” he said.
“The centre will strengthen SAIT’s ability to develop highly skilled culinary professionals while advancing research, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.”
Darren Reeder, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta, shared the same sentiment, adding that the improved building will also reaffirm new students’ decisions while moulding them into experts.
“Imagine being a young person passionate about food, creativity, and hospitality,” he said.
“Walking into this extraordinary learning environment and realizing that your ambitions have a place to become deeply rooted.”
Second-year student Saxon Daniels said this feeling is familiar to her after being introduced to the building’s new version, adding that the new national centre has made her more assured in her career goals.
“A chef is the only path I’ve ever wanted to pursue, and choosing SAIT was easy because it is known for its excellent learning environment with top-notch chefs teaching real-world skills,” she said.
“Having access to the National Centre for Culinary Arts changes everything — it expands our learning, exposes us to modern tools and new kitchens, and gives us the confidence to step into any top kitchen in the world.”
