Cooking Up Innovation: New R&D Kitchen Opens This Spring at South
Imagine stepping into a real-life Chopped kitchen – not as a high-stakes competitor, but as a front-row witness to culinary creativity in action. South Seattle College’s brand-new Research and Development Kitchen is set to become a powerhouse of gastronomic exploration, complete with built-in cameras to livestream classes, record cooking demonstrations, and even capture the excitement of future culinary competitions.
More than just a classroom, this cutting-edge space is a dynamic laboratory where students can experiment, collaborate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the kitchen, just like the chefs we admire on our favorite cooking shows.
Launching in Spring Quarter 2025, the Research and Development Kitchen will be a cornerstone of South’s Culinary & Pastry Arts program. Designed for flexibility, it features a fully modular setup, with cooking stations and equipment on wheels, allowing for endless configurations. The kitchen is also outfitted with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient electric technology—including stoves, ovens, refrigerators, and exhaust systems—the same cutting-edge equipment found in leading restaurants that are paving the way for a shift away from natural gas in the culinary industry. This ensures South students graduate with hands-on experience that aligns with modern, sustainable industry practices.
But the real magic happens when these skills are put to the test. South Seattle College’s on-campus food truck, cafeteria, and restaurant will serve as proving grounds for student innovations. The Research and Development Kitchen will be the launchpad of bold flavor combinations and perfected recipes before they make their way to the plates of eager diners.
“With this new facility, South Seattle College is not just teaching students how to cook; it’s empowering them to innovate, create, and shape the future of the culinary world,” said Brian Scheehser, South Seattle College’s Dean of Hospitality and Service Occupations.
The Research and Development Kitchen was made possible thanks to a grant from the State of Washington.
Interested in studying Culinary & Pastry Arts at South Seattle College?
- Learn more about South's Culinary & Pastry Arts program
- Sign up to attend an online info session about the program
- Contact SouthProfTech@seattlecolleges.edu for more information