Incubator kitchens have emerged as a vital resource for aspiring business owners who want to create, test, and grow their product lines without the cost of setting up their own commercial kitchens. In many cases, these incubator kitchen spaces become food entrepreneurship hubs, building creative, collaborative business communities.
Diane Kriwiel is the founder of The Shared Kitchen in Wichita, Kansas. The Shared Kitchen offers more than essential space and equipment for food entrepreneurs. It also offers business networking, as well as mentorship from lessons Kriwiel has learned on her own food business journey from home cook to full-time caterer and food business owner.
Today, The Shared Kitchen regularly welcomes a diverse array of chefs and food artisans. The eclectic mix includes bakers, candy makers, caterers, and international cuisine.
“We have people from all background and culinary traditions,” Kriwiel said. “Today, we had a caterer who specializes in African food, a man making freeze-dried candy, and another creating flavored mustards.”
Get help
Heartland Food Business Center partners in Kansas are working with Kriwiel and others to build awareness of incubator kitchen resources and support the state’s small and startup food business community.
- Contact the Heartland Center Kansas team for support: heartlandrfbc@ksu.edu.
- Find an incubator kitchen near you in Kansas with this Kansas Department of Agriculture Kitchen Resource Guide.
Benefits
Incubator kitchens are also known as shared kitchens, commissary kitchens.
They offer many benefits, including:
Low-cost market entry
Incubator kitchens provide affordable access to licensed, fully equipped spaces. They help food businesses meet regulatory standards without the high costs of building their own facilities.
Mentorship
Incubator kitchen managers often act as mentors to clients. They help clients navigate licensing requirements, product development, and business financials.
Networking and Collaboration
Incubator kitchens bring together a community of entrepreneurs who can learn from one another.
Food Safety Guidance
Many incubator kitchen managers support their clients as they navigate and work to meet food safety regulations.
See the full original version of this article in the Kansas Food First magazine.