(L-R) Laura Palacios (Senate Eckhardt’s Office), Jeannie Samson (NW Sertoma Club), Terise Urias (Counihan & Associates), Skylar Korgel (Representative Lulu Flores), TSD Superintendent Peter L. Bailey, Former TSD Superintendent Claire Bugen, Daniel Akeroyd and Jim Morales (Senator Donna Campbell’s Office)
TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Keena Miller
512-462-5328, cell: 512-658-4444
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF OFFICIALLY OPENS
NEW STATE OF THE ART CULINARY PROGRAM FACILITIES
Friday, September 27, 2024
Austin, Texas – September 27, 2024 Today marks the official opening of a brand new state-of-the-art Culinary Program for students at Texas School for the Deaf (TSD).
A ribbon cutting, reception and tour of the facilities today welcomed community members, lawmakers and contributors who all worked together to make this a reality for high school students taking TSD’s high school career and technical education courses.
Fully equipped with the latest technology and equipment, the new facilities include a full commercial kitchen, a prep and teaching area, walk-in refrigerator and freezer, dry storage pantry, dining room with a service area, and a “Grab & Go” café where students will run a coffee shop and serve a revolving menu of fresh breakfast and lunch items they’ve prepared.
Peter Bailey, TSD Superintendent says “This new culinary facility and Grab & Go” café is the culmination of many hours of planning and hard work, and is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our community which reflects a collective commitment to empowering students with the skills and opportunities to thrive in their future careers.”
Though very popular with students and highly successful for many years operating in a single-room kitchen originally designed as a home-economics classroom, the program can now handle twice as many students each semester.
In March 2025, TSD looks forward to hosting the next TSD Grab & Go Presentation_compressed with teams from several Deaf schools across the nation vying for the grand prize in a “Top Chef” styled competition.
Despite training in a home economics-styled kitchen for many years, and then in a temporary space during the years-long renovations, the TSD Culinary Bowl team has placed at three of the nine Culinary Bowl competitions since 2012, taking fourth place in 2024, second place in 2017, and a first place win in 2019.
TSD is grateful to the many contributors who pitched in on the project. First and foremost, the state lawmakers who appropriated funding for construction, our partners at the Texas Facilities Commission, Austin Community College, and the architects from Parkhill, as well as the TSD Foundation, the Northwest Sertoma Club of Austin, Counihan and Associates, and the many hours of work invested by TSD teachers and staff.
###
ABOUT THE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (TSD)
The Texas School for the Deaf is the oldest continuously operating public school in Texas. Educating deaf and hard of hearing students of Texas since 1856, the campus also provides outreach and educational resources for students, their families and professionals in the field throughout the state of Texas. With educational excellence and a strong belief in a culture and community at TSD, students form a unique identity based on their individual strengths and talents. TSD is an environment where students learn, grow, and belong. For more information about the Texas School for the Deaf, visit https://www.tsd.texas.gov/.
ABOUT TSD’s CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS
For high school students at Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) there is a wide range of work-study programs to meet their interests, including exploring fields in technology, trades, services, business, arts, and more. Designed to equip students with knowledge and practical skills through a combination of engaging coursework, hands-on learning, and real-world experiences, students hone technical skills, gain industry certifications, participate in internships, gain valuable insight and develop the expertise needed to chart their own paths toward a rewarding future career. Learn more about TSD’s High School Career & Technical Education (CTE) offerings at https://www.tsd.texas.gov/HS_CTE.
(L-R) Laura Palacios (Senate Eckhardt’s Office), Jeannie Samson (NW Sertoma Club), Terise Urias (Counihan & Associates), Skylar Korgel (Representative Lulu Flores), TSD Superintendent Peter L. Bailey, Former TSD Superintendent Claire Bugen, Daniel Akeroyd and Jim Morales (Senator Donna Campbell’s Office)