Abstract: A system and method for providing variable ventilation for a cooking environment. The system includes a plurality of cooking appliances, wherein each appliance has various operating parameters indicative of a cooking level of each appliance; a cooking event monitor operably connected to each of the cooking appliances and configured to: (1) determine a level of ventilation for each of the plurality of appliances based upon the cooking level of each appliance, (2) determine a control signal based upon the determined level of ventilation, and (3) transmit the control signal; a motor speed controller operably connected to the cooking event monitor and configured to receive the control signal; and at least one exhaust fan operably connected to the motor speed controller, wherein the motor speed controller adjusts a speed of the exhaust fan based upon the control signal.