St. Pius X Career Centre inaugurates state-of-the-art kitchen for culinary students

After a full year of construction, St. Pius X Career Centre in Ahuntsic turned the lights on in its brand-new, state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, a transformative project that marks a new era for culinary education in Montreal.  In the company of EMSB Chair Joe Ortona, members of the Council of Commissioners,  senior management and centre officials, the facilities was  formally unveiled on October 22.

The new teaching kitchen was built to accommodate growing enrolment in the school’s acclaimed Professional Cooking program, which prepares students for an array of jobs in the hospitality sector as professional chefs.
“This kitchen isn’t just bigger, it’s smarter, more efficient, and designed with both students and chefs in mind,” said Alice Sideropoulos, Principal of St. Pius X Career Centre. “This investment reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation in culinary education.”

The new kitchen can accommodate 25 students per class and is significantly larger than a standard restaurant kitchen. The space and technology allows for hands-on learning in a real-world environment.

This facility features an advanced multi-media system with ceiling-mounted cameras overlooking the demonstration area for the instructor and six high-definition televisions strategically placed throughout the kitchen for students. It allows every student to clearly see demonstrations from any station, enhancing the teaching experience.

In addition, the kitchen is outfitted entirely with brand-new commercial-grade equipment from leading industry names like Vulcan, Hobart, Garland, and Rational. The project was designed in close collaboration with St. Pius X’s team of instructor chefs, whose input shaped the layout to ensure maximum efficiency and an optimal learning experience.

“Our chefs were truly amazed when they first saw the new kitchen,” said Alain Belair, Vice Principal of St. Pius X Career Centre. “We worked together to build a space that mirrors professional kitchens, giving students the best possible preparation for their future careers.”
 
St. Pius X Career Centre to also unveil new store for the public

In addition to serving as a premier teaching space, the new kitchen will power production for the new St. Pius X’s store, set to open this fall. The store will offer the public a delicious selection of prepared foods made by students, including soups, stocks, and sauces, appetizers and ready-to-eat meals as well as desserts and cakes from the pastry program. All items will be competitively priced, offering an affordable alternative to grocery stores. The store will be open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays, with convenient parking and easy access on Sauvé, across from McDonald’s.

About St. Pius X Career Centre Professional Cooking Program

St. Pius X Career Centre’s Professional Cooking program has been a leader in professional culinary education for decades, training generations of chefs and culinary professionals. With its hands-on programs, expert instructors, and strong ties to the industry, this program continues to prepare students for success in kitchens across Canada and beyond. Graduates from St. Pius X Career Centre’s Professional Cooking program are employed throughout Montreal, including at some of the city’s finest restaurants.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.