The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), home to Canada's oldest publicly funded culinary school, has unveiled the National Centre for Culinary Arts at SAIT. After 10 years of extensive renovations, the primary home of the School of Hospitality and Tourism has transformed into a national teaching and learning centre of excellence, reflective of SAIT's world-class culinary programs.
"Establishing the National Centre for Culinary Arts at SAIT is significant to Alberta's growing visitor economy. Strengthening SAIT's capacity to develop culinary talent, innovation and industry leadership is pivotal to supporting our tourism and hospitality sectors," says Dr. David Ross, President and CEO, SAIT. "This centre is more than a renewed building. It is a commitment to the people, skills and experiences that will shape the future."
Renovations began with exterior upgrades to the John Ware building on SAIT's main campus. In 2022, the Government of Alberta invested $41 million to support the John Ware Revitalization project.
"As part of Budget 2022, the Government of Alberta committed $41 million to invest in the future of culinary students studying at SAIT. Today, that future has arrived with the launch of the National Centre for Culinary Arts, an industry-leading, diverse learning space primed to deliver new opportunity and elevate the industry in Calgary and across the province," says Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education.
The extensive improvements to learning spaces, technology and infrastructure, including teaching kitchens, bakeries and living classrooms, were made to enhance the educational experience for both hospitality and culinary students. Additionally, several student-operated businesses received upgrades, including campus eateries, butchery and the Destinations travel centre.
Beyond the modernization of the facilities, two signature spaces have been created at the National Centre for Culinary Arts -- a state-of-the-art competition kitchen and the re-imagined student-run restaurant, The Highwood Kitchen and Bar.
"For more than 75 years, we've trained hospitality and culinary professionals at SAIT. We needed a space that reflects our reputation and gives students a learning experience that meets the standard we've established in our programs," says James Overall, Dean, SAIT's School of Hospitality and Tourism. "Thanks to the transformational government investment, we now have a brand and centre that lives up to our hospitality and culinary prestige."
The updated learning spaces are also preparing students for careers in Alberta's growing tourism industry. Alberta's Tourism Sector Strategy aims to drive the growth of the province's visitor economy to $25 billion annually, generating 190,000 full-time jobs by 2035. According to Travel Alberta, visitors to the province spent $15.2 billion in 2025, growing six percent year-over-year and exceeding the national growth rate -- the highest level of tourism spending on record.
SAIT's School of Hospitality and Tourism was recognized globally in 2026 by QS University Rankings as Canada's top school in its sector and placing 25th in the world in Hospitality and Leisure Management. This was SAIT's highest ranking to date. SAIT was also the only Canadian post-secondary included in the top 50.
CEOWORLD magazine once again ranked the School of Hospitality and Tourism as #1 in Canada and 15th overall on its list of Best Hospitality And Hotel Management Schools in the World For 2026.
