(The Heritage Culinary Center in Union County’s Heritage Park on Durham Drive is comprised of a Culinary Teaching Kitchen and a standard Commercial Kitchen. The building was constructed by Union County. The county leases a portion to the non-profit Union County TN Farmers Market. The Farmers Market operates the Heritage Culinary Center). Patrick Hurley and Shirlee Grabko

What an asset for Union County! The Union County Farmers Market has been quietly developing a Teaching Kitchen in the Heritage Culinary Center. The Commercial Kitchen is up and running, with several clients using it. Now the Farmers Market Board of Directors is focusing on the design and equipment that is needed for the Teaching Kitchen! And what a kitchen it will be!

Several pieces of state-of-the-art commercial food service equipment are being installed in the Teaching Kitchen. These industrial-grade appliances and professional tools are designed to withstand high-volume, heavy-duty use and typically feature durable stainless-steel construction. Experience with this equipment will prepare students for careers in the food service business or just teach proper and creative food preparation for the home. The learning is experiential rather than just lecture-based. Being able to actively prepare recipes builds the confidence needed to recreate the healthy, affordable meals at home.

The Teaching Kitchen is still a work in progress, but it will include food preparation, cooking, refrigeration, storage, handheld tools, and efficient washing/disposal/venting equipment. The heavy-duty ranges, pizza oven, a large skillet that tilts(!), a steam kettle, and an enormous mixer are only some of the professional equipment in place or expected soon.

The classroom is well-designed, with a Teaching Counter at the head. When installed, it will have an induction range, an under-counter fridge/freezer, sink, and prep station. To ensure students can see everything accurately, cameras overlooking the Teaching Counter will be focused on exactly what the instructor is doing, and the overhead TV screens will allow students to observe.
The classroom will have five student learning counters, each designed for four students, for a total class capacity of 20. Every counter will have two double induction ranges for students to share, as well as a one-compartment sink for all four students to use. As it is still a work in progress, it is difficult to estimate when the classroom will be ready for use. Best guess right now is that it can begin operation in 2027.

This is a very expensive endeavor. You may wonder where the funding is coming from. The Union County Farmers Market operates the Heritage Culinary Center and has been awarded several grants to help equip and operate the Center, including:

Agriculture Enterprise Fund (AEF) from the TN Department of Agriculture. This fund awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses, as well as to nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee.

Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) supports targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities that promote the development and expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. It aims to increase the availability of locally grown food by supporting farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSA).

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is a competitive USDA grant that funds projects to develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets.

And finally, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) invests in Appalachia’s economic future by providing grants to help Appalachian communities seize opportunities, address economic disparities, and advance prosperity.

This is an ambitious and intense project that requires considerable study, time, and research from several highly committed volunteers. The Farmers Market Board of Directors has been planning and working on this for quite a while. President Donna Riddle, Vice President Patrick Hurley, Treasurer Carol Aldrich, and Secretary and Market Manager Debbie Silvia-Gardner are some of the many who have dedicated their energy, experience, and volunteer hours to this enterprise.

The Union County High School Culinary Arts class and the UT Extension office have used the kitchen for classes. Once the Teaching Kitchen is complete, possible future users may include TCAT (TN College of Applied Technology) and Walters State Community College.
A Teaching Kitchen is a highly effective, engaging, and transformational environment. Students have a hands-on approach while building cooking confidence, learning practical life skills, and promoting sustainable lifestyle changes. Definitely an asset to Union County!