Wichita Art Museum (Wichita, KS)
January 4, 2024
 ________________________________________

1400 by Elderslie at Wichita Art Museum Announces Immediate Closure as a new model of dining and catering is forged.

After a remarkable year of offering museum visitors farm-to-table dining experience, 1400 By Elderslie, the renowned restaurant situated within the Wichita Art Museum, has made the difficult decision to temporarily close its doors. The closure is attributed largely to facility limitations that have impeded the restaurant’s ability to cater to large events effectively and desire to reimagine the partnership to better serve the community at large.

Anne Kraybill, Director/CEO of the Wichita Art Museum, expressed deep appreciation for Elderslie’s contribution over the past year. She remarked, “Museum guests have relished the menu featuring locally sourced ingredients crafted by Katharine Elder in a meticulously renovated space. We hold Elderslie in the highest regard and appreciate their commitment to farm-to-table dining in the region.”

Chef Katharine Elder shed light on the decision, acknowledging the challenges faced in adapting services for sizable gatherings and the unique needs of museum visitors. She stated, “Our culinary journey at the Wichita Art Museum has been incredibly fulfilling. However, we faced challenges in transitioning services suitable for sizable gatherings and serving the specific needs of museum visitors.”

Elder emphasized her dedication to the development of exceptional dining experiences in Wichita, stating, “I look forward to helping develop a new model for the museum cafe so that it delivers exceptional service to customers, both with simple fresh menus and an accessible price-point.”

All previously scheduled events and rentals at 1400 by Elderslie will be honored and serviced by a selection of preferred caterers, including Elderslie itself. During the transition phase, the Museum will facilitate any necessary facility upgrades to enhance service and operations when it reopens with a new operator. The museum is actively exploring new culinary partnerships to ensure the continued availability of exceptional dining and catering options for its visitors. The Wichita Art Museum is committed to delivering outstanding culinary experiences and will keep its patrons informed as plans unfold.

####

Contact:

Naama Marcos, Director of Marketing and Communications
316-268-4985
marcos@wam.org