McAteer Culinary Center

The McAteer Culinary Center opened in 2019 and serves as a model for a central kitchen for the district. The kitchen serves Early Education sites and two high schools: The Academy and Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. The new facility consists of energy-efficient equipment, including serving lines that serve freshly-made bulk food rather than pre-packaged meals, a dishwasher allowing for use of reusable dishes, and a milk dispenser serving certified organic milk from Straus Family Creamery. The menu was developed by the District's chef, Josh Davidson, and will change seasonally and continue to incorporate student feedback. The space also includes a redesigned dining area that features new furniture, digital menu screens, and graphics of trees and landscapes as part of the student’s request to bring the scenery the campus enjoys indoors. The dining space will serve as a community hub for sharing meals, hosting club meetings, band practice, and more.