Community

For Katy families planning Thanksgiving dinner, a little help with the holiday baking is on the way.

Students in Katy ISD's Culinary Arts program are preparing to welcome the community to their annual Thanksgiving bake sale at the Old Town Bistro inside Miller Career and Technology Center on November 18 and 19, 2026.

From pumpkin pies and cranberry orange pies to fresh dinner rolls, decorated sugar cookies and pumpkin cream cheese rolls, the two-day sale offers families an opportunity to check a few items off their Thanksgiving shopping lists while supporting students who are learning the skills needed for careers in the culinary industry.

This year's event will also feature handmade wood projects created by students in the school's Construction Trades program, giving shoppers a chance to pick up seasonal decorations and gifts while supporting another group of Katy ISD students.

Thanksgiving Bake Sale at Old Town Bistro: Dates, Hours and What to Expect

The annual Thanksgiving bake sale will take place at the Old Town Bistro, the student-operated culinary learning environment at Miller Career and Technology Center.

Shoppers can visit during the following hours:

• Wednesday, November 18, 2026: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Thursday, November 19, 2026: 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Payment is by card only. Cash will not be accepted.

The sale comes one week before Thanksgiving, which falls on Thursday, November 26, making it a convenient opportunity for families looking to purchase holiday baked goods ahead of their celebrations.

Thanksgiving Pies, Cookies, Breads and More: What's on the Menu?

The Culinary Arts students have put together a selection of Thanksgiving favorites, with options for holiday gatherings, family breakfasts, dessert tables and even four-legged family members.

For families hosting Thanksgiving dinner, the pies, breads and dinner rolls offer ready-made additions to the holiday table. Cookies, muffins and scones could also come in handy for visiting relatives, holiday breakfasts or gatherings with neighbors and friends.

The sale is a fundraiser for the Culinary Arts program, allowing community purchases to support the students behind the baked goods.

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More Than a Bake Sale: How Katy ISD's Culinary Arts Program Prepares Students for Real Careers

Behind the pies and pastries is a hands-on educational experience that is part of Katy ISD's larger commitment to career and technical education.

Miller Career and Technology Center provides Katy ISD high school students with opportunities to explore specialized career pathways and develop practical skills in professional learning environments. Its programs are designed to connect classroom instruction with real-world applications, helping students prepare for employment, industry certifications and continued education after graduation.

The Culinary Arts program introduces students to the many responsibilities involved in food preparation and hospitality. Along with developing cooking and baking techniques, students learn about kitchen safety, sanitation, food presentation, organization and the teamwork required in a professional food service setting.

The Old Town Bistro serves as an important part of that experience.

Rather than learning exclusively from textbooks or classroom demonstrations, culinary students have opportunities to apply their skills in a setting that reflects the demands of the restaurant and hospitality industries.

Preparing food for customers, working together to complete orders and maintaining professional standards help students understand what it takes to work in a commercial kitchen.

The Thanksgiving bake sale brings those lessons into a community setting. Students have an opportunity to put their training to work while Katy residents get to enjoy the results.

For families whose children are considering culinary arts, hospitality management or other career and technical education pathways, events like this offer a glimpse of the practical learning opportunities available through Katy ISD.

Where to Find Old Town Bistro in Katy

The Old Town Bistro is located at 1734 Katyland Drive, Katy, TX 77493, just west of Rhodes Stadium. Visitors should park on the east side of Miller Career and Technology Center and use the Old Town Bistro entrance beneath the awning.

According to Katy ISD's culinary course information, second-year students help operate the Bistro, catering service and quick-service counter, rotating through cooking, serving, hosting and supervisory responsibilities.

Residents can find additional visitor information on the official Old Town Bistro website.

Construction Trades Students Add Handmade Wood Projects to This Year's Sale

This year's Thanksgiving event will offer more than baked goods.

Students in the Construction Trades program at Miller Career and Technology Center will also sell handmade wood projects, giving visitors another opportunity to see student craftsmanship.

The advertised selection includes decorative wooden trees, small handcrafted items and turkey-themed decorations.

The Construction Trades program gives students opportunities to develop hands-on skills related to building and construction. Projects such as these allow students to practice craftsmanship, measurements, tool use and attention to detail while creating finished products.

For shoppers, the handmade items offer an alternative to mass-produced seasonal decorations, with the added benefit of supporting local students as they develop their skills.

Why Katy ISD's Thanksgiving Bake Sale Matters to the Community

For many Katy families, Thanksgiving traditions revolve around familiar recipes, shared meals and time spent together. The annual bake sale at Miller Career and Technology Center offers a way to make those preparations a little easier while supporting the next generation of local workers and entrepreneurs.

The event also gives residents an opportunity to connect with an important part of Katy ISD that they might not encounter during a typical school day.

Career and technical education programs help students discover interests and develop skills that can lead to careers in industries serving the Katy area and beyond. Culinary arts and construction are two examples of fields where practical experience can make a meaningful difference as students prepare for life after high school.

For those who have never visited the Old Town Bistro, the Thanksgiving sale is an opportunity to become familiar with the student learning environment and see how classroom instruction translates into finished products.

Planning to Shop the November 18-19 Thanksgiving Sale?

Residents interested in purchasing Thanksgiving pies, cookies, breads, dinner rolls or handmade wooden decorations can stop by the Old Town Bistro at Miller Career and Technology Center during the advertised sale hours.

The school has not specified advance ordering arrangements or item quantities in its announcement, so shoppers should not assume particular selections will remain available throughout both days.

Additional information and updates may be available through the Miller Career and Technology Center Facebook page.

Whether residents are picking up a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner, a dozen cookies for coworkers or a handmade decoration for their home, each purchase is an opportunity to recognize the work Katy ISD students are doing as they prepare for their futures.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more Katy ISD news, local school events, student achievements and community happenings throughout the Katy area.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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