SAIT foodie favourites now open

Updated April 14, 2022

Great news. Your favourite SAIT dining experiences have reopened! To recap, some of the city’s culinary gems — we’re talking The Highwood, The Tastemarket, 4Nines and The Marketplace — had been closed to the public since March 2020.

Now, students and instructors from the world-renowned SAIT School of Hospitality and Tourism have been working around the clock to welcome you back.

Feast your eyes on what’s in store.

The Highwood Kitchen + Bar

“The Highwood is where applied learning really took off for SAIT's School of Hospitality and Tourism,” says the school’s dean, James Overall.

As the school’s most integrated live classroom, bringing together culinary, hospitality management, baking and even butchery students, The Highwood Kitchen + Bar is a SAIT cornerstone.

What’s new and notable

• In previous years, The Highwood offered a set dinner menu with multiple courses. When it opens, patrons will be able to pick and choose off an à la carte menu. Plus, did we mention cocktail hour from 5 to 6 pm?
• Later in the Spring, cocktail hour will start at 4:30 pm. If you frequent the main campus often, this is a big deal. Instead of heading home after class or work, stop in at The Highwood for a bite or drink, or both.
• In other big news, The Highwood is now open Friday evenings. TGIF!

• Before you ask, the Thursday buffet is not currently on the menu. The team plans to reevaluate the experience in the fall.
• All gratuities will go to the Hospitality Student Success Fund and support student experiences such as study tours, student clubs and skills competitions. This change applies to all SAIT Hospitality and Tourism outlets.

Reserve your table or walk in for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Friday. For hours of operation and menu items, visit sait.ca/highwood.

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The Tastemarket Canadian Kitchen

The return to high-rise offices is about to get better with the reopening of The Tastemarket Canadian Kitchen. A beloved downtown destination since its 2017 debut, the changes to the urban eatery are small in scale yet big in impact.

What’s new and notable

• If you attended culinary school in Italy or France, you can bet you’d learn about Italian or French cuisine. That’s why SAIT is teaching students the how and why behind Canadian dishes and ingredients. From poutine, Atlantic salmon and an Alberta bison beef burger, there’s a coast-to-coast taste of Canada on the menu for everyone.

• Plus, enjoy artisan sandwiches and salads, flatbreads from the wood stone oven and feature dishes. Top it off by taking home SAIT-made charcuterie, pickled vegetables and signature sauces from the market. We know this isn’t new — we just wanted to remind you what you’ve been missing.
• There’s more room to dine. By removing large booths and maximizing space, the venue will play host to weddings, corporate parties and everything in between. Stay tuned for booking details!

Text your work bestie and plan your Tastemarket reunion — we’re open Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 3 pm. View the full menu and details at sait.ca/tastemarket.

Inside the John Ware building

When you walk through the doors of the John Ware building, you’ll be treated to a new experience and look.

What’s new and notable

• Introducing the Culinary Campus International Market! Now home to SAIT’s Global Cuisine class and students, the space also includes all of the incredible bakery, patisserie and butchery items you love.

• Rest assured, the 4Nines namesake, inspired by John Ware’s cattle brand (9999), isn’t going anywhere. The new 4Nines Diner is where you can still order a famous-around-campus steak sandwich and other daily features. For those craving a tasty beverage, get ready to experience the new coffee and smoothie bar!
• Next September, Canada’s only student-run travel agency, Destinations, will move in. It’s the perfect excuse to start dreaming about your next trip. There’s no pressure to book — our students appreciate the practice from exploring travel options. In the meantime, Destinations will continue to operate out of the Senator Burns building through the end of April.
• Check out Hospitality House, the sleek and welcoming new dining area. It's the perfect spot to grab a meal, meet a friend for coffee or gather with your study buddies.
• The new demonstration theatre is truly something to behold — picture culinary class meets cooking show. It features two overhead cameras to stream live culinary action to the mounted 50-inch monitors facing the classroom. Designed to accommodate both culinary and beverage students and instructors, the space can also be booked for private and corporate events.

The cherry on top

“We know you have a lot of choices out there when it comes to dining,” adds Overall. “By choosing to dine at a place like The Highwood, you’re helping us train the next generation of hospitality and culinary professionals. There’s no better way to learn than by doing. Your support is doing exactly that.”

We're so excited to welcome you to our classrooms (again). See you soon!

John Ware renderings via Gibbs Gage Architects