Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilator assembly and method for removing kitchen exhaust fumes entrained in a moving air stream from an area surrounding a cooking unit. A roof-top blower moves the air stream from the cooking area through an air duct to the atmosphere. An overhanging hood defines a ventilation opening located above the cooking unit. One or more air vents are formed in a top wall of the hood and communicate with the air duct. A detachable high velocity module is positioned in the hood in filtering relation to the air vents. The high velocity module includes opposing side plates, a filter housing connected to the side plates, and an inclined exhaust baffle located between the filter housing and the cooking unit. The exhaust baffle defines at least one laterally extending slot formed therein for accelerating the flow of the moving air stream into the high velocity module. One or more grease filters are mounted in the filter housing for removing fumes from the moving air stream.