The Mitchell Gate, named for the generous donor and alumnus of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), is designed to welcome students, faculty and visitors to the Student Commons building. This arched gateway is an integral part of the campus’s Alumni Walk of Fame.

The intention is to create a gateway sculpture that complements the buildings on the campus which are a mix of modern and classical architecture. We also wanted to be relevant to the culinary world that revolves around food plus a healthy dose of humor. Asparagus is elegant, versatile and well-loved. And who can resist a chuckle when seeing these magnificent asparagus stalks framing the Hyde Park Campus Mitchell Gate.

The two vertical “posts” are made of bunches of giant-sized asparagus stalks that appear to be growing in planter boxes and holding up the classical filigree archway, which is crowned in the center with an over-sized artichoke.