Culinary Arts

Who We Are

Located at the Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus, the award-winning Culinary Arts Academy, students step into a fast-paced, professional kitchen where creativity meets precision. Every day, they work side-by-side with industry experts: designing menus, executing multi-course meals, and delivering exceptional service to the public through Finesse: A Culinary Experience, our student-run fine dining restaurant. From intimate fine dining to large-scale catered events, students graduate ready to excel in the world’s largest and most diverse industry.

What We Do

Students gain industry-ready expertise through:

Expert Instruction from seasoned culinary professionals
State-of-the-Art Facilities with a fully equipped commercial kitchen
Student-Run Fine Dining Restaurant offering real-world service experience
High-End Culinary Production including full-service catering, formal banquets, upscale dining, and special events
Community Service Opportunities that build leadership and teamwork while giving back to the community
Industry Certifications including ServSafe Food Manager
College Articulation Opportunities for credit toward culinary or hospitality degrees
Certificate of Achievement/Endorsement showcasing career readiness
Scholarship Opportunities for postsecondary education

Contact

Staff
Culinary Arts I Instructor - Erica McIntyre
Culinary Arts II Instructor - Philip Shaw
Administrator - Amy Stolz
Assistant Administrator - Jenn Barnum

Phone Numbers:
913-780-7026
913-780-7462 (Spanish line)

Address:
450 N Rogers Rd, Olathe, KS 66062

Erica McIntyre

Philip Shaw

Program Sponsors

Possible Careers

Scholarships

Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association has awarded over $1 million in scholarships! Missouri Restaurant Association and its affiliated chapters embrace the importance of education in helping prepare future leaders for the challenging restaurant and hospitality industry of tomorrow. MRA chapters across the state conduct numerous events to raise scholarship funds. Since its inception, the MRA Scholarship Program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to assist outstanding students with the cost of their education. The chapter fundraising events are conducted with the help of MRA members who volunteer their time and resources. Learn more about the scholarships.
The Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association Education Foundation (KRHAEF) supports students who are committed to furthering their education and enhancing their careers in the restaurant and food service industry by awarding scholarships. Over the last two years, KRHAEF has awarded over 30 thousand dollars in scholarships to deserving students. In addition to the state awards, the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) awards scholarships as well. In two years, students from Kansas have received over 56 thousand dollars in scholarships from these two foundations.
The National Restaurant Association Scholarship applications are open now. Apply today! They have given over $23 million in culinary arts and restaurant management scholarships. You have the passion. They have the cash.

Post Graduate Paths

ProStart Competition

ProStart Competitions

NPSI, the country’s premier restaurant management and culinary arts competition for high school students, showcased the skills of nearly 400 youths competing for approximately $200,000 in scholarships that will help them advance their educations and fulfill aspirations to become restaurant and hospitality industry professionals.

ProStart is a two-year curriculum practiced at more than 1,750 high schools and career and technical education centers nationwide. It teaches culinary techniques and restaurant management skills that prepare students for successful industry careers. There are nearly 145,000 ProStart students throughout the United States and Guam.

We are so proud of the OATC Culinary Arts students who took first place at the ProStart Kansas Invitational, which led to their participation at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland. The students represented the state of Kansas and the Olathe Public Schools on the national stage due to all of their hard work and amazing performance.

SkillsUSA

Uniform Ordering Instructions

Step 1: Visit the ChefWorks portal to order uniforms

Step 2: Register as a New Customer

Click “New Customer.”
Company Property Code: STUDENT
Enter your email, phone number, and create a password.
(You can use the same login information for future orders.)
After completing registration, you’ll return to the Login page.
Use your email and password to log in.

Step 3: Shipping Information

Enter your full shipping address (name, street, apartment number, city, state, ZIP code, country).
Important: If the address is incorrect, the order will not ship properly, and shipping costs will be charged to your card.

Step 4: Item Selection
Order the following items:

Bastille Basic Chef Coat — 2 black chef coats (select size).
NBBP Black Basic Baggy Pant — 2 black “baggy” chef pants (select size).
BEAN Black Beanie — 2 black beanies.
Dress Shirt — Model 0150 (men) or W150 (women), order 1 (select size).
Add Items to Cart:
Enter quantity and size.
Click Add to Cart.
Use the Back button to continue shopping, or select Uniforms (left side menu).
Embroidery Details:
The Olathe Culinary Arts logo will be embroidered on the left chest of the chef coats.
Your name will appear below the logo.
The black dress shirt will also have the logo on the left chest.
Enter your first and last name only — no nicknames.
PO# — Use the student’s name or the date (e.g., 080118).

Step 5: Confirm and Submit the Order

Review your shopping cart and select Checkout.
Enter your credit card information.
Choose your shipping method.
Once confirmed, click Place Order to submit.
Important: Once an order is submitted, no changes can be made. Orders are processed automatically.

Questions or Concerns: Email Trueman Reynolds at ChefWorks or call 858-334-6617.

Additional Required Uniform Items:

Besides the ChefWorks uniform order, students must also have:
1 pair of black, closed-toe, non-slip shoes
- Suggested vendors:
1 pair of black dress pants
1 black belt

Finesse: A Culinary Experience

Dine With Us at Finesse

Looking for a dining experience that blends gourmet cuisine with the energy of the next generation of chefs? At Finesse, our award-winning student chefs present a seasonal, three-course menu that reflects both skill and creativity.

Finesse is part of the Culinary Arts Academy at the Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus. Every month, our students research, plan, and execute a new menu, honing their culinary techniques and service skills. Guests enjoy a carefully curated three-course meal for $45 per person, which includes water, coffee, and tea. Specialty beverages, including house-made mocktails and other refreshments, are available for purchase.

From greeting guests at the door to crafting desserts in the kitchen, students take on every role needed to operate a professional restaurant. The experience offers them invaluable, hands-on training in the hospitality industry while showcasing their talent to the community.

Finesse reflects the Olathe Public Schools’ commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement — where education meets exceptional dining. To reserve your spot, visit the Reservations tab. For questions, email Erica McIntyre.

Reservations

We're excited to invite you to dine with us!

To make a reservation, please use EatApp to reserve your table. Once your request is submitted, you'll receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to secure your table through InTouch, our school district’s payment system.

Please review our restaurant dates below, along with the times reservations will be open for each date. Don't forget to set a reminder — reservations fill quickly.

If you're unable to find an available time on EatApp, it means we’re fully booked. You may try selecting a different time or adjusting your party size. Alternatively, you can join our waitlist by emailing Chef Erica McIntyre, and we'll contact you if a table becomes available.

Restaurant Dates for 2025-2026 School Year

Friday October 24, 2025
- Reservations open at 7:30am Friday Sept. 19
Friday November 21, 2025
- Reservations open at 7:30am Friday Oct. 3
Friday January 23, 2026
- We’re moving to a new facility this January! During this transition, our reservation release date is still being finalized. Please follow us on Instagram for the latest updates. Culinary families, please keep an eye on your emails for updates.
Friday February 27, 2026
- Reservations open at 7:30am Friday Jan. 30
Friday April 10, 2026
- Reservations open at 7:30am Friday March 13

Menu for Nov. 21, 2025

Appetizer

Spanish Tortilla: Jamon Iberico, Manchego Cheese
Chicken Croquettes: Bechamel, Cured Ham, Paprika Remoulade
Neopolitan Flatbread: Heirloom Tomato, Opal Basil, Buffalo Mozzarella

Entree

Tuscan Lamb Chops: Balsamic Red Wine Reduction, Spinach Ricotta Gnudi
Pumpkin Gnocchin: House Made Italian Sausage, Pecorino, Rapini, Sage
Grilled Halloumi Souvlaki: Pita Bread, Tzatziki, Garbanzo Bean
Pork Ragu: Sugo di Pomodoro, Creamy Polenta, Romanesco Cauliflower

Dessert

Honey Panna Cotta
Chocolate Olive Oil Tart
Pistachio Tiramisu

Specialty Beverages

Sodas $3
Specialty Mocktails $3

Welcome to Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts Documents

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