By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
A newly renovated space in the heart of Hays is preparing the next generation of chefs in a state-of-the-art kitchen.
Leigh Purdy, vice president of the Chamber in Hays, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at Lb. Event Center & Catering at 121 E. 11th St. Eric Burks, president of Fort Hays Tech North Central, said the renovation was supported through grants and local developer Adam Pray.
"We've had a culinary arts program for quite some time, so we're celebrating 10 years of our program," he said.
Burks said the new industrial kitchen will give students the knowledge and skills they need to step into any real-world kitchen.
The program was originally based in Beloit. Burks said moving it to Hays created internship opportunities and helped student chefs achieve their dreams.
Culinary instructor Wilma Power and several of her students spoke during the celebration, sharing their goals to open a catering business, restaurant and bakery.
Power said students have already been cooking three times a week, preparing several treats for attendees, and highlighted that they made 865 bierocks for this year's Oktoberfest.
"What you have to realize is that sometimes the students have never really cooked. That's quite a feat," Power said.
Power said her classes typically have six or seven students. Burks said he hopes to increase that to support the local economy and workforce.
"Our goal is to grow that so that we can have more with that space. ... There's a large demand for these students and their skills out there. We want to be able to serve that," Burks said.
Burks said the program has moved from its former home in Beloit to the Hadley Center to even a church basement, and now sits next to Gella’s Diner and LB Brewing.
The venue was created from a vacant building next to the diner, which also includes a bar and a projector for various occasions. The room can accommodate up to 126 people with seating for 92.
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