What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Great Plains Culinary Institute

Home
United States
Lincoln, NE
Great Plains Culinary Institute

We are the Culinary/Hospitality Program at SCC We are the Great Plains Culinary Institute, located at Southeast Community College in Lincoln NE.

05/05/2026

We are grateful for the opportunity to cook and serve dinner at Matt Talbot alongside our Culinary and Baking students in the Culinary/Hospitality Operations class.

nebraska

04/29/2026

✨ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ✨

Hailey Truell

Banquet Theme: My Birthday

➡️ Why did you choose your theme?
The banquet was randomly assigned on my birthday, so I thought I might as well celebrate.

➡️ What are you most looking forward to about your banquet?

I’m excited to see my own ideas being executed by the people I’ve gotten really close to during this class.

➡️ What menu item are you most proud of?
I would say the dessert because it’s been my favorite for many years. I actually haven’t made it before, so I can’t wait to see my friends help me bring that dish to life.

➡️ What inspired you to join the program?
I have always loved the art of culinary and food science. I think food is a great way to bring people together.

➡️ What have you learned from Chef Mike and your peers while taking this class?
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that it’s easier to succeed when you have people close to you who are willing to help. This class taught me to care about others’ work and to always focus on quality.

➡️ Do you have any special memories or highlights from your time here at Great Plains Culinary Institute?
I really enjoyed Advanced Culinary Fundamentals—it helped me improve my skills and get out of my comfort zone. I also liked working with proteins. Chef Mike made everything easy to understand and follow.

➡️ What advice would you give to a student who is considering attending this program?
Don’t be afraid to try. It might not work out the first time, but just trying already makes you successful.

➡️ What is your favorite activity outside of culinary school?
I love being outside—going to the lake, jet skiing, four-wheeling, and spending time with my cats.

➡️ What plans do you have after graduation?
I’m going to work for a catering company in Omaha, and I plan to become a private chef in a couple of years and eventually start my own business.

“Hailey went out of her comfort zone and opted to take extra baking classes even though her focus is culinary. She always has a positive attitude and brings energy to class. Hailey is polite, quick, clean, and efficient. She has been a pleasure to have in class!” - Chef Cassie

04/26/2026

IT’S TOMORROW, AND WE STILL HAVE TICKETS LEFT!

Hors d’oeuvres and Dessert Buffet at Course Restaurant on Monday, April 27th, from 3:00–4:00 PM 🍰

Enjoy a delicious variety of sweet and savory bites, plus coffee, lemonade, and water included.

🎟️ Tickets: $25 (tax included)
📍 Course Restaurant

🔗 https://course.revelup.online/store/1/category/56/subcategory/57

04/23/2026

✨ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ✨

Adam Readenour

Banquet Theme: Hundred Acre Woods

➡️ Why did you choose your theme
Winnie the Pooh has been my favorite character since I was a child!

➡️ What are you most looking forward to about your banquet?
I’m most excited to see all the decor and table settings put together and see the restaurant come to life!

➡️ What menu item are you most proud of?
Probably my dessert because all of the ingredients are harmonious. I am excited to see what I come up with for plating, I am trying to push for efficiency yet appeal.

➡️ What inspired you to join the program?
I had a “Teens in the Kitchen” class in high school that piqued my curiosity. Also growing up, I saw my mom and grandma making my themed birthday cakes from scratch every year.

➡️ What have you learned from Chef George and your peers while taking this class?
I have become more familiar and efficient with the equipment in the restaurant, and that helps when prepping for banquets.

➡️ Do you have any special memories or highlights from your time here at Great Plains Culinary Institute?
One of my highlights has been having classes with my high school best friend! It has been nice to have a buddy throughout the program for support. Also, I enjoy the creative process and freedom we are allotted in classes.

➡️ What advice would you give to a student who is considering attending this program?
It’s worth it! It’s not as daunting as it seems, and you will have a positive experience when looking back on it.

➡️ What is your favorite activity outside of culinary school?
Playing the flute! 🪈

➡️ What plans do you have after graduation?
I plan to continue working but I will go full time. I also plan on getting my cottage license for my own personal business!

“I am grateful for all of my family and friends that have supported through it all!” ~ Student Chef Adam

“Adam is a lot of fun in class. He always has a positive attitude, and fun stories! Adam is very talented when it comes to being creative. I enjoy seeing his personality come through his work!” ~ Chef Kendra

04/22/2026

✨ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ✨

Kathryn Kohtz

Banquet Theme: Farmer’s Daughter

➡️ Why did you choose your theme?
It has a mix of food I grew up with and the food my grandma used to like. She is the reason I am in the baking program.

➡️ What are you most looking forward to about your banquet?
Working together with my classmates and making memories.

➡️ What menu item are you most proud of?
The opera cake— as a baking student I put more work into it, and I love coffee.

➡️ What inspired you to join the program?
My mom used to tell me that as a kid, I couldn’t read very well. My grandma, who was an English teacher, suggested introducing me to cookbooks to help improve my English.

➡️ What have you learned from Chef Mike and your peers while taking this class?
Patience, and to try to be quick. Some things you can’t rush, and other things you need to speed up. Time management—and there is never enough salt.

➡️ Do you have any special memories or highlights from your time here at Great Plains Culinary Institute?
Cutting the top of my thumb off in my second week. Every day hanging out with people.

➡️ What advice would you give to a student who is considering attending this program?
It’s easier and harder than you think it’s going to be. If you have work ethic, you will survive—and it is worth it.

➡️ What is your favorite activity outside of culinary school?
Playing with my cats, painting, sewing—some grandma hobbies.

➡️ What plans do you have after graduation?
Go back to my hometown and work—try to make as many memories as I can with my friends (Lincoln and hometown friends).

“She is hardworking and detail-oriented, bringing a personal touch to everything she does. She has come out of her shell and become more confident along the way”. - Chef Shai

04/21/2026

The Culinary & Baking Programs are hosting a Hors d’oeuvres and Dessert Buffet at Course Restaurant on Monday, April 27th from 3:00–4:00 PM 🍰

Enjoy a delicious variety of sweet and savory bites, plus coffee, lemonade, and water included.

🎟️ Tickets: $25 (tax included)
📍 Course Restaurant

Grab your spot before it fills up!

🔗 https://course.revelup.online/store/1/category/56/subcategory/57

04/14/2026

Cake Decoration Class with Chef Kendra 🎂👩‍🍳

04/09/2026

✨ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ✨

Jenessa Guenther

Banquet theme: April showers, may flowers

➡️ Why did you choose your theme
I have always loved flowers in the spring, and I think it would be a perfect time for this banquet theme.

➡️ What are you most looking forward to about your banquet?
Seeing everything come together and working with my team.

➡️ What menu item are you most proud of?
The dessert—it was inspired by something I made when I was younger, and now it is more elevated.

➡️ What inspired you to join the program?
I really like baking with my grandma, and it was a great opportunity to learn more and turn it into my career.

➡️ What have you learned from Chef George and your peers while taking this class?
Efficiency, communication, and working as a team are what make a good kitchen.

➡️ Do you have any special memories or highlights from your time here at Great Plains Culinary Institute?
Meeting so many great people and learning so many new things.

➡️ What advice would you give to a student who is considering attending this program?
Don’t be afraid to try new things and step out of your comfort zone.

➡️ What is your favorite activity outside of culinary school?
Reading, playing video games, and spending time with my family, friends, and my cat.

➡️ What plans do you have after graduation?
Working full-time in a bakery and seeing what opportunities are available in the industry.

“She always has a great attitude. She’s very creative and not afraid to experiment with new ingredients and flavors. She also has excellent pastry plating skills, always bringing a variety of colors to her dishes”. - Chef Emma

04/08/2026

✨ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ✨

Mary Hines

Adventure Time

➡️ Why did you choose your theme?
I loved the show, and I grew up watching it. I think those who come to the banquet will appreciate it.

➡️ What are you most looking forward to about your banquet?
Seeing how my menu will turn out and seeing everyone there.

➡️ What menu item are you most proud of?
The purple potato soup. I think it is fun, and it will have a lot of colors.

➡️ What inspired you to join the program?
My family—my mom always cooked, and my older brother also cooks. He works in a restaurant and has shown me a lot.

➡️ What have you learned from Chef Mike and your peers while taking this class?
Don’t mix the purple carrots with the other carrots. He has been really helpful in planning the banquet and double-checking everything.

➡️ Do you have any special memories or highlights from your time here at Great Plains Culinary Institute?
I have made good friends that I will stay friends with after graduation.

➡️ What advice would you give to a student who is considering attending this program?
You should come to the program. Take a couple of classes and see if you like it—it’s a great school.

➡️ What is your favorite activity outside of culinary school?
I love to snowboard. I also like to paint and hang out with friends.

➡️ What plans do you have after graduation?
Stay in Lincoln for six months, then maybe move to Omaha and work for a while, and look for another seasonal job.

“She saves animals, even the rats. She’s a good team worker, has creative ideas, has a great attitude, and is a leader. She has been fun to work with”. - Chef Jade

Address

8800 O Street
Lincoln, NE
68520

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

https://www.southeast.edu/culinary/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Great Plains Culinary Institute posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Great Plains Culinary Institute:

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Lincoln?