An abandoned Halliburton Baaken 40-acre campus purchased in 2020 by North Dakota’s Dickinson School District kicked off an innovative workforce development project that brought together the school, local industries and Dickinson State University. The goal was to reinvent career and technical education by laddering secondary to postsecondary education while building skilled trades. Within this new plan, a new culinary space and curriculum was created.

Fast forward three years later, the new Southwest Career and Technical Education Center opened in March 2023 with more than 20 program areas contained within the new campus serving secondary and postsecondary students. The campus continues undergoing renovations and is adding additional program areas to serve students.

Last semester the new culinary arts space opened. Local bakery products manufacturer Baker Boy pledged more than $275,000 toward purchasing new kitchen equipment and ovens. Collin Wehner, culinary instructor, has high hopes for the impact of the new kitchen on the culinary program. “I am so excited about the new space,” he said.

The culinary program will grow to include two culinary classes, Culinary I and II, with multiple sections. Enrollment is estimated to grow by more than 20 percent to 90 students this year.

Wehner took advantage of the kitchen space last year to diversify his students’ knowledge and palate. “One of the things I loved doing was product tasting. I gave my students different cheeses – many of them had never even tried before – and watching their faces with the different flavors. I loved it,” he said.

The new kitchen laboratory includes a new deck, flat-top, broiler and induction ovens. There is a separate area for food preparation as well as a dining room with seating for up to 50 guests. The new kitchen also supports a new baking and pastry concentration.

Wehner looks forward to growing the culinary program and said, “We get to teach the best kids.”