OSU Institute of Technology is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Viersen Garden & Outdoor Kitchen on July 18. This much-anticipated addition to the campus will not only elevate the educational experience for culinary arts students but also open up a world of new possibilities. With a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen, students can now explore and master outdoor food preparation techniques, enhancing their skills and preparing them for the evolving culinary industry.

Designed to help culinary students gain experience in outdoor food preparation techniques such as smoking, barbequing and grilling, the outdoor space also integrates sustainable gardening and seasonal kitchen classes to provide a hands-on learning environment and enhanced curriculum.

“The Viersen Garden & Outdoor Kitchen will serve our students and the community,” said Lise Bulik, Facilities Coordinator for the School of Arts, Sciences, & Health. “It’s a unique resource locals can engage with and benefit from.”

Available for public use and rental, the Viersen Garden & Outdoor Kitchen features a full kitchen complete with a smoker, Hasty-Bake grill and Argentine pit roaster. The facility also includes a tent that seats 50 with space coolers, outdoor seating with umbrellas and counter seating with high-top tables within the cooking area.

“The creation of this space aligns with our strategic goal of expanding the student experience beyond traditional restaurant kitchen skills,” said Bulik. “By providing an outdoor culinary environment, we aim to better prepare our students for careers in the evolving culinary industry, enhancing their versatility and readiness to enter the workforce with a broader skill set.”

The Viersen Garden & Outdoor Kitchen is a testament to the power of community support. This initiative was made possible by a generous grant of over $500,000 from the Viersen Foundation and further supplemented by a successful GoFundMe campaign that raised $20,000, is a true reflection of our shared commitment to education and culinary arts.

To celebrate the opening, the Viersen Garden & Outdoor Kitchen hosted the summer installment of the Cowboy Chef Table Series, providing guests a firsthand look at this versatile new space.