Hello, I am working on a new business concept and would like your opinion. Chef's Space: a fully equiped commercial kitchen available for you to rent by the day/week, etc. When the space you have is not always enough or the space you have doesn't have the equipment you need for a particular party or event. Maybe you want to teach a class or give a demonstration, but don't have a space to do it in. Do you think this would be a good service for you? Thank you for your input! Jan
Kitchen incubators are desperately needed in many cities in the country. They are perfect for personal chefs or other small business food people, who only need commercial kitchen space on a part time basis. Do your research and I am sure you will find people who are interested. Keep in mind that is must be affordable to the renter. They are small business owners. Otherwise they would have their own commercial kitchen.
Thank you for your input! I am in the process of doing market research and looking for property here in Houston. I would love more input, especially from Chefs in Houston.
Yes, Absolutely! I am thinking of doing the same thing myself. You will never be without renters. I was in Seattle and there were several locations like this. Most of the spaces were filled with caterers that leased the kitchen space on an annual basis. The common walk-in was in the center of the warehouse and the plumming and electrical was located around the walls. All the landlord offered was a commercial sink area for each renter and ovens if they needed it. Most of the renters brought in their own ovens and equipment. Good luck.
Ok, I have some questions . . .For Chefs, etc in Houston, TX who are interested in renting commercial kitchen space . . .
1. What part of town would you want a kitchen to be in? 2. How much would you be willing to pay? 3. How often do you think you would use it? 4. What would you be using it for? 5. What expectations would you have of the facility and the owner?
I am very appreciative of your time and input. Please email me: janithan@earthlink.net
Hello, I have some questions . . .For Chefs, etc in Houston, TX who are interested in renting commercial kitchen space . . .
1. What part of town would you want a kitchen to be in? 2. How much would you be willing to pay? 3. How often do you think you would use it? 4. What would you be using it for? 5. What expectations would you have of the facility and the owner?
I am very appreciative of your time and input. Please email me: janithan@earthlink.net
A lot of the APCA chefs visit the forums sporadically. You might have a better response by using the Find-A-Chef for Houston and contacting them directly rather than waiting for them to reply here.
I have not responded to this posting simply b/c I know no ther chefs in Houston area that are in need of a ck space. I have a sweet deal with a friend who owns her own restaraunt...I pay zero, so....Chef Pierre might have the perfect solution for you.
I live in Norfolk Va, and just joined APC after lurking on the site for over 6 years! I would love for there to be an incubator kitchen in this area! A contractor friend of mine has been talking about it...I've been talking to several locations (mainly churches and catering halls)about using their space, without any luck. How much rent do you think you'd have to charge?
Let us know how you do with it! Jennifer Eat Dessert First
From my preliminary research, I would probably have to charge $20-30 per hour. I'm thinking I would provide all equipment from the size of a food processor and up. Haven't decided about sheet pans . . . I think they would be on their own for that stuff.
I know it is a viable business opportunity. There is a commercial kitchen space for rent facility in chicago. www.kitchenchicago.com I personally have not used the space however, I know a few folks that do and it's great.
I am a newbie exploring personal chefing, but have been catering for several years. I have been able to rent a kitchen for kosher events, but when I need one for events that are not kosher, I have been stuck! Would love the option you are discussing!
I just noticed the $20-30/hour cost... I have been able to rent for $$35-50/day. The hourly cost you are suggesting would make it unreasonable for my clients. When I am catering i frequently need several prep days in a row... I also live in a place where people are willing to spend much less for the catering to begin with, so if I added those costs to the event, I would price myself out of the market!
I also thought that 20 - 30 dollars an hour wouldn't work for me. If that's the cost to run the business, I wonder how feasable it would be for chefs and other start ups to use!
How about south Houston? Way south, Galveston area.... Not reasonable I'm sure but that would be convenient for me. I will be quite interested in where you do locate your kitchen. Sounds like I could take advantage of the space possibly once a week? Twice a month? But as mentioned, the daily rate would be much more doable for me at this point in time. Would you have any storage space or would we need to bring everything each time we used the space?
Thank you for your input! I am in the process of doing market research and looking for property here in Houston.
