The Webb School is proud to announce the completion of a significant renovation to its kitchen facilities, made possible by a generous gift from Trustee Emerita Adrienne Trousdale Underhill of Santa Barbara, Calif., and friend of the School Richard Colyear of Rolling Hills, Calif.

What began as a conversation more than a year ago has now come to fruition with the installation of an entirely new suite of kitchen equipment offering students and guests an upgraded dining experience filled with renewed efficiency, comfort and hospitality. The upgrades include a mobile heated cabinet, dishwasher, charbroilers, convection ovens, ranges, planetary mixer, rice and grain cooker, sandwich and panini grills, custom hot top, cold food counters, and improved shelving.

Already, the new equipment has transformed Webb’s dining operations, making meal preparation more efficient. Since the installation, the Sage Dining team has benefited from this comfortable and functional workspace, leading to an elevation in the overall quality of service at Webb. Students, faculty, staff, parents and community members alike have warmly welcomed the changes, noting an improvement in their daily dining experience.

“This investment is more than just new equipment—it has made a meaningful impact on how we serve and gather as a community,” said Aaron Ritter, Head Chef with Sage Dining at The Webb School. “Our team can now work with greater comfort and efficiency. Students are also seeing more variety, fresher food and faster service in a dining space that feels modern and inviting.”

In addition to the generous gift of equipment, Webb has funded a series of enhancements to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the Grace Follin Dining Hall. These include refreshed décor, wider entrances at food lines, a redesigned dish return area, upgraded kitchen air conditioning and improved storage. Collectively, these updates ensure that Webb’s dining facilities remain a welcoming hub for campus-wide fellowship.

Webb’s Head of School, Dr. Polly Parker, expressed her gratitude for the project’s impact. “We are deeply thankful to Adrienne and Richard for their vision and generosity. This gift, which has elevated the dining experience for every member of the Webb community, reflects the lasting commitment of our friends and Trustees to invest in the daily life of our School.”