[Shea]

Plans are underway to build a fully equipped commercial kitchen facility by fall of 2009 in the Greater Triad Area to rent to small business entrepreneurs from caterers, chocolatiers, bakers and small food manufacturing businesses. The facility will be equipped with all commercial equipment including walk in freezers, coolers, smokers and any other specialty equipment needed for food production. You will be able to rent caged storage space for your supplies, ship and receive product as well as rent freezer and cooler space. You will have to be insured for $3 million of liability insurance( which is rather inexpencive) and be responsible for Health Department rules and regs and be subject to their inspections. You will be responsible for your own cooking supplies IE pots, pans and utensils which you could store in a secure area on site if you so choose. Pricing will be billed by the hour and yet to be determined yet affordable. Storage rental will be separate based on size needed. If this may be of interest to you or anyone you may know, please reply with any suggestions, comments, questions or concerns.

[shroomgirl]

welcome to cheftalk Shea. kitchen rentals are in huge demand.....I can't tell you how many calls a year I get from people looking for kitchen space.

Your bio says you cook at a military academy in NC, personal chef and cater.....good mix.....your experience will come in handy

[Brandon]

I built a mobile kitchen a few years ago for use at offsite events and my newest build is better than any kitchen I have worked in. I hope you update on your build progress.

[ssrdesigns]

Wondering the progress on this project - I am very interested in the possibility of renting time.

[ED BUCHANAN]

Great Idea .Only thing I would check out is that the" individual is responsible to health department'' whereas in most areas, it is the premise itself that is cited for infractions, and as owner of said premise You are responsible as they are only renters.

[georgemroberts]

Commercial Kitchen available in Manhattan. Please let me know if anyone is interested or knows anyone that might be.

Thanks,

George

[Shea]

Good Morning, progress is slowwwwww due to our wonderful economy but we are not giving up on our dream. It is a large scale project and we knew it would have some glitches along the way. We will keep all posted on the progress. Shooting for the summer of 2010. Keep your fingers crossed!

[Shea]

Thank you for your comment! You are correct, we are untimely responsible for our grade as well. Each renter will be responsible for their grade. If they are not in compliance they will be fined by us as this brings down everyones overall grade. The second time they will be "evicted" per rules and regs of the contract.

[Shea]

Thank you for your post. Yes I am banking on my 25+yrs of hard knocks to help u get to our goal! In this business you will never stop learning as it is ever evolving with new concepts and ideas. I am like a sponge yearning to learn and always willing to listen!

[HappyFood]

You may want to check out a similar operation in Poughkeepsie, NY called Hudson Valley Food Works. They have a loading dock, huge kitchen and packaging areas, walk-in coolers and freezers, a monstrous walk in blast freezer and packaging areas. It seems they cater mostly to small start up companies that manufacture packaged foods-sauces, soups, quiches, baked goods etc.
It's a pretty good set up and the fee is $25/hour based on contracted use. It's a great way for folks with good ideas to start businesses without needing a ton of $$$$ for start up capital investment. We looked into it, but found the working environment a bit depressing in addition to being a 45 minute drive from where our administrative work is centered.
We know some other farm marketers that use the facility and they really enjoy the ability to keep their production schedules flexible as their demand ebbs and flows.
I wish there was a facility like this nearer to us.