Kitchens in sync: With space scarce, new program aims to get small biz cooking

[eridani]

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130714/NEWS/307149975/kitchens-in-sync-with-space-scarce-new-program-aims-to-get-small-biz

That experience is not uncommon for Detroit-area food businesses. In fact, seeing that struggle was one reason Daniel founded FoodLab Detroit, an informal community of nearly 300 area food producers focused on sustainability and social justice through food. Through her noodle shop, Daniel discovered the intense need for kitchen space and began informally brokering deals. "I started getting connected to all of these folks who wanted to offer their kitchen space or entrepreneurs who were seeking kitchen space," said Daniel, 28. "So I became this personal hub between the two. When I started FoodLab, it became the informal connector."

Her work with FoodLab connected her to Eastern Market CEO Dan Carmody, who also saw inefficiency in the market. Even though Eastern Market is installing a community commercial kitchen as part of the redevelopment of Shed 5 -- for which the Michigan Economic Development Corp. recently provided a $1 million grant -- that project isn't scheduled to open until late 2013. So Carmody sought a more immediate solution.

He used part of an existing grant to hire Daniel and FoodLab Detroit to develop a plan for a kitchen-connection service.

"I thought we could do an Airbnb-type model where we and Eastern Market become the management hub between these kitchens and the entrepreneurs," Daniel said. "We could do all of the scheduling, making sure the insurance is taken care of, etc."

Carmody agreed, and the two organizations launched Detroit Kitchen Connect last week. The one-year pilot program will place 12 food entrepreneurs into two area commercial kitchens: Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral in southwest Detroit and Matrix Human Services in the Osborn neighborhood on the east side. The program will also offer business-development services and assistance with licensing and insurance.

"One of the great things about Kitchen Connect is the opportunity to take advantage of kitchens that are already in Detroit neighborhoods, sitting idle, and activate the space," said Davison, 40.

[Lucinda]

1. What a great idea!

We had thought about a mom and pop food business here when I felt better a few years back - we had off hour access to a kitchen - but we never followed through.

This seems like a great way for people to get started!