Incubator Kitchens

I was fascinated to hear this week about six “Incubator Kitchens” launching in the Madison area. Like technology incubators, these kitchens will offer culinary start-ups support and a nurturing environment. The idea is that commercial kitchens will be offered to farmers and food entrepreneurs who don’t currently have the infrastructure or money to do what they want to do. The work in these kitchens will in turn help create great food, great companies and a stronger culinary network in Madison. It’s also a step forward in making more locally-produced food.

These community kitchens will be used for canning, baking, cooking classes, and more. The University of Wisconsin is supporting this effort, with $110,000 and help making connections. They’ll each have their own unique personality and way of working. I’d love to hear if you have such incubator kitchens in your cities.