Our Story

In 2013, then, the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, stated in an article that they wanted NAIT to be recognized as one of the world's top culinary schools (Alberta Venture, 2013). In visioning that seven years ago, a lot changed, but the goal has never wavered.

In 2020 a new challenge has caused a pivot to the vision; a brand extension has emerged. One in which helps students feel like pioneers. The Department of Culinary Arts and Professional Food Studies, as the program is now known, has flourished with virtual instruction, blended classes through the tenacity of the staff and instructors, and augmented its on-campus restaurant Ernest's to be adaptive to the new landscape.

We allow students to witness the power of responsiveness and embrace change as we now offer by partnering with other departments; NAIT made items available through the curbside pickup, the grab and go, and hopefully soon delivery.

Several years ago, the department decided Ernest's needed a new mantra, a new message. Nothing was more fitting than Eat, Learn, and Celebrate. Now we are looking to have you experience Ernest's a little differently. Ernest's vision is adaptive. Your support for our students will see them obtain their goals in learning and meet critical objectives.