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Weekly Resource #19 – Detroit Kitchen Connect

detroit-kitchen-connect1As you are well aware of, opening a business is risky. The amount of overhead required to open a brick and mortar store-front is immense to say the least. This is especially true for those of you who are opening a food business. The additional equipment needed to run a successful food business that meets the customer’s needs and the state’s health regulations, adds a lot to the cost of opening. Kitchen Connect aims to reduce this overhead by making commercial kitchens available for food entrepreneurs to prepare their product in and to establish a community of kitchens across Detroit.

The benefits of being able to rent out a fully fledged commercial kitchen opposed to buying all new (or even used) equipment is obvious. Kitchen Connect knows this and offers their services at a reasonable cost. An application process is required and can be started here. Located in the Osborn community of Detroit, the Matrix Human Services kitchen is available during the organization’s normal business hours: Sun: 9a-5p, Mon & Tue: 9a-7pm, Wed & Thurs: 9a-10p, Fri & Sat: 9am-5. Peter & Paul kitchen, located in Southwest Detroit,  is available Monday – Friday 24 hours per day.

Each entrepreneur must meet the requirements posed by the state and Kitchen Connect in order to be considered during the application process. a “ServSafe Food Certificate” is required and can be obtained by attending a day of instructor-led training and taking the provided test. Insurance and a $200 deposit to Kitchen Connect are also required to use their sponsored facilities. Visit Their website for contact information and be sure to reach out to kitchen connect and their partners with questions and concerns. The best way to get advice is to attend Friday office hours, 8-10am at the Green Garage, 4444 Second Ave., Detroit 48201. Email or call them in advance to confirm: info@foodlabdetroit.com, 313-799-3280.