Work begins on new culinary arts center

Ontario County broke ground today on a culinary arts facility to be shared by FLCC, New York Kitchen and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

In an exciting development for regional culinary arts and wine education, agritourism, and community enrichment, Ontario County broke ground today on a $24 million state-of-the art culinary arts facility on Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua.

The new facility will serve as home to the FLCC Culinary Arts degree and certificate programs, New York Kitchen (NYK), and an auxiliary program office for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County.

The project development team includes DJC Architecture, PLLC (architecture and interior design), Passero Associates (site, civil, and landscape engineering), DJCA Cornerstone (pre-construction services), LeChase Construction (construction management). It is anticipated the building will be completed by the end of 2027.

Building Features

DJCA Cornerstone rendering of one of two teaching kitchens. The one-story, 19,287-square-foot facility will be constructed on approximately 2.5 acres on Lakeshore Drive directly across from Kershaw Park and immediately west of Muar Street. The land was donated to Ontario County by the Canandaigua Area Development Corporation (CADC).

The facility is being thoughtfully designed for maximum utilization and collaboration between the three organizations. Plans for the center incorporate state-of-the-art, commercial-grade equipment, including two hands-on kitchens, a prep and teaching kitchen, and a demonstration kitchen to accommodate increases in FLCC culinary arts program student enrollment and public participation in NYK cooking classes and events.

The facility will also include a retail tasting room open to the public, featuring New York State food and beverage products. The building will include administrative offices, conference areas, an open gathering space, and an outdoor patio.

Upon completion, this world-class culinary facility will invite and inspire students, chefs, and visitors to explore and enjoy locally sourced products, while sharpening their culinary skills within an idyllic, park setting overlooking Canandaigua Lake.

DJCA Cornerstone rendering of the interior of the culinary arts center.

Project Funding

Funding for the $24 million culinary arts facility project is being provided through a combination of $11.1 million from the State University of New York (SUNY), along with philanthropic donations consisting of approximately $1.76 million from the CADC (land donation value), up to $9.38 million from the Sands Family Foundation and up to $1.76 million from Ontario County.

Partner Statements

"Community colleges are engines of opportunity, and this new facility will make Finger Lakes Community College a destination for culinary education in New York State," said SUNY Board Trustee Robert Duffy. "SUNY is proud to invest in a project that brings together education, industry, and community on the shores of Canandaigua Lake to expand access to high-quality education, strengthen local economies, and prepare New Yorkers for meaningful careers," said SUNY Board Trustee Robert Duffy.

“Canandaigua Lake and the entire Canandaigua community hold a very special place in the heart of the Sands Family," said Richard Sands, vice president of the Sands Family Foundation. “We are thrilled to make this investment in the development of the culinary arts center and the overall enrichment of the north end of Canandaigua Lake in a way that will allow residents and visitors increased access to the heart of the Finger Lakes for generations to come.”

“We are excited to celebrate the start of this incredible visionary project to benefit area students, residents, and visitors alike,” said Chris DeBolt, Ontario County administrator. “And we are grateful for the strong partnership between the Sands Family Foundation, Canandaigua Area Development Corporation, City of Canandaigua, Ontario County, and Finger Lakes Community College to ensure the lakefront remains a regional asset to further cultivate economic development in the area, while increasing public enjoyment of Canandaigua’s natural resources.”

"This collaborative venture marks an exciting milestone for FLCC’s culinary program, and we are grateful to the Canandaigua Area Development Corporation (CADC), Ontario County, and New York State for their support,” said FLCC President Robert Nye.

“The new facility will allow us to cost-effectively expand our curriculum with more specialized courses, offering students access to top-tier instructors, cutting-edge equipment, and unparalleled hands-on learning experiences. We anticipate this will attract a much broader pipeline of talented students to FLCC from outside Ontario County, further enriching the vibrant community of Canandaigua and raising its profile as a premier destination for culinary arts education and experiences,” he added.

“The vision for the culinary arts facility aligns perfectly with the CADC’s commitment to transform the undeveloped property on Lakeshore Drive into a multi-faceted, year-round destination for all to experience and enjoy the Canandaigua Lakefront area," said CADC President Geoff Astles. “We were delighted to donate a portion of this property to Ontario County to help bring this collaborative vision to life for the benefit of all who live, work, learn, and visit here. The CADC is also pleased to continue its work with the City of Canandaigua and Ontario County to develop a public park adjacent to the culinary arts facility and further expand the city’s environmental conservation work at Lagoon Park – all to increase public access to, and enjoyment of, the natural beauty of Canandaigua well into the future.”

“This project is about so much more than a new facility,” said Alyssa Belasco, executive director of New York Kitchen. “It’s about investing in our future—supporting local talent, strengthening community ties, and creating a year-round destination for learning, gathering, and celebrating the flavors of the Finger Lakes.”

“At Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, we are especially excited about the opportunity this shared endeavor brings to expand our efforts to address food insecurity in our local communities, grow agritourism, support our local farmers, and strengthen nutrition education throughout the area,” said Moira Tidball, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County.  

About the Partnership

For more than a decade, FLCC, New York Kitchen, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County have worked closely together at the current New York Kitchen facility in pursuit of their shared vision to establish the Finger Lakes region as a one-of-a-kind destination for culinary arts education and agritourism. The partnership has grown over the years through highly collaborative and mutually successful endeavors benefiting area students, visitors, businesses, and the community.

About the CADC

The Canandaigua Area Development Corporation is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to pursue projects that improve the economic health of the Canandaigua area by expanding the sales tax base and creating new employment opportunities.

Project information is available on the Ontario County website.

Bid awards and related resolutions were adopted by the Ontario County Board of Supervisors on July 16, 2026.

A rendering showing the east side of the culinary arts center.