If ever wanted to jar your grandma's sauce or unveil your cookies to the world, a new spot in Brooklyn may be the place to start. NY1's Roger Clark visited Brooklyn Foodworks, where aspiring food producers can find a recipe for success.
The massive kitchen at Brooklyn Foodwoks is quiet. But it won't be that way for long.
Elected officials cut the ribbon on a new, shared kitchen inside the former home of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. It provides affordable space to food entrepreneurs trying to launch and develop their businesses.
"This is a place where you can come try out those recipes, test out your designs, and kind of work in a very low risk environment while you're building that business plan and building that business model," said President Brooklyn Foodworks Drew Barrett.
Businesses pay a monthly fee for the right to rent the space. Forty have signed on — and the organizers say 60 more can be accommodated.
The program also will provide the startups with marketing and branding advice. It's a collaboration between Dinner Lab, a national pop-up supper club spotlighting emerging chefs, and the city's Economic Development Corporation, which says food is part of a manufacturing rebirth in the five boroughs.
"Programs like this that provide affordable real estate and services insures that it continues to be a robust sector," said President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. "Not just here in Brooklyn, but throughout the city."
"Food has a way of bringing people together and having conversations, learning from each other and that's why this is so important," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
For folks like Luquana McGriff, who makes sweet treats through her company A Cake Baked in Brooklyn — which until now was run out of her Red Hook apartment.
"I will have more space and I can make more orders," McGriff said.
Other chefs and bakers say without this culinary incubator growing or even getting a business off the ground is tough.
"When you are taking that first step, taking that risk, it's not really something that's even viable unless you've got financial backing," said Hetty McKinnon of Arthur Street Kitchen.
"Having this and having the really state of the art equipment that they have here is like a gift," said Cheryl Surana, of the Brooklyn Cookie Company.
Brooklyn Foodworks says they will begin orientations for their members this week. And hopefully next week this place will smell amazing, when everybody starts cooking and baking.
For more information, visit thebrooklynfoodworks.com.