On Tuesday April 23, Colleen Martin, LMUSD Board President cut the ribbon to open the new culinary building at Arroyo Grande High School.
The ceremony began at 9:00 am with remarks from Superintendent Paul Fawcett, followed by Principal Bradley Grumbles and student Daniel Dixon.
“This marks significant, milestones committed to excellence in education and the culinary arts. This state-of-the-art facility represents more than just a new building,” Fawcett said. “It symbolizes our dedication to providing our students with the best opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. It is a testament to our belief in the power of hands-on learning, and the importance of equipping our young minds with the skills they need to thrive in the ever-evolving world.”
The funding for the building was granted through the hard work of the Lucia Mar board, with the district being one of the few who received a grant to help pay for the new facility.
“The district funding source for the share of the match came predominantly from measure one funding stream granted through the generosity of the community of Arroyo Grande and the entire district,” Fawcett said.
The facility provides a restaurant kitchen environment and allows for students to gain experience they could immediately use in the field.
“This is what you see out in the real world and it’s faith. They nailed it. It’s an incredible facility. Everything from the hoods to the burners to the flooring. This is real life. [Students] can walk from this kitchen to any kitchen,” Executive Chef Douglas MacMillan said.
The relationships built between students and the chefs at the facility have allowed many students to work in experiences like Rosa’s and other culinary opportunities.
“I have quite a few [students] that we’ve seen here that would be the Hancock and Cuesta’s culinary program,” MacMillan said. “Chef Amber’s the key. You’ve got to have someone who is a great leader. She does a fantastic job here”.
The new building is 3,286 square feet with 12 ovens, 12 ranges (48 burners), 3 refrigerators, 1 freezer, 2 prep stations, 2 handwashing stations, 2 dish sanitation stations, 9 student prep stations, and a fully custom ventilation and fire suppression system.
“In this modern kitchen, our students will experiment, innovate and collaborate fostering creativity and teamwork. They will gain practical experience that will serve them well,” Principal Brad Grumbles said.
AGHS continues to encourage hands-on learning through their CTE programs like the culinary building.
“The culinary pathway combines academic and hands-on learning to give the students lifelong skills. With these kinds of courses, students can earn both high school and college credits, as well as their food safety certificate, which is a huge deal. But beyond the culinary skills they will acquire this facility will also teach our students valuable life lessons,” Grumbles said.
AGHS is excited to open the Culinary Arts Center and hopes to foster more positive student experiences within the program.
“Let us remember the incredible potential that lies within these walls. Let us embrace this new chapter of optimism and excitement, knowing that we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for all of our students,” Fawcett said.
