Bagels: A Labor of Love

What defines a good bagel? Most would say crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Doughy, but not tough or rubbery. Just the right amount of salt. That’s just the texture and taste. 

The making of bagels is no small feat. From mixing and kneading to shaping, boiling, and baking, each step demands precision, patience, and a healthy dose of elbow grease. 

The ideal bagel maker is meticulous, observant, adaptable, and creative. With a background in engineering and a career in tech and sales, Jeff ticks all those boxes. 

For Jeff, launching his own bagel business and baking before sunrise is about more than the science and timing of the perfect bagel, it’s about connection. It’s the joy of getting to know his customers at the farmers’ market and providing comfort through food. Jeff has also used his bagel sales to raise funds for causes that align with his values. Bagel-making serves as an avenue to building and supporting community.

Farmers Markets: A Launchpad for Bagels

For a start-up bagel business, farmers markets offer the perfect proving ground. These community hubs draw customers seeking handcrafted, high-quality foods and give bakers the chance to connect directly with their audience. 

Farmers markets allow bakers like Jeff to test new flavors, refine their recipes, and build a loyal following one bite at a time. It’s a golden opportunity for small food businesses to experiment, grow, and gain feedback.

In one season, Uncut Bagels have become so popular that they sell out within a couple hours of the market opening! You know you’ve made it when local Redditors are posting “Uncut Bagels, MFers legit”. 

Uncut Bagels is a finalist for Best Bagel in Jersey City! Cast your vote in support here.

Why Commissary Kitchens Work for Farmers Market Sellers

With flexible hours and professional-grade equipment at their disposal, food start-ups can prepare their goods in a health department-approved facility, then transport them fresh to the market.

Membership at Garden State Kitchen allows for experimentation and scaling of production as demand grows, all without the hefty investment of a permanent storefront.

Interacting with fellow entrepreneurs in the kitchen fosters a sense of community, where sharing wisdom, lessons, and inspiration helps everyone navigate the ups and downs of building a business together. 

The post Rising to the Occasion: New Jersey Bagel Start-Up Thrives in a Shared Commissary Kitchen appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

Our members who run meal prep companies cook for families, vegans, fitness trainers, and more. They say access to an affordable commercial kitchen is important, but there’s more to it than that. We checked in and put together a list of the top 10 things they need to succeed. Here’s how our members save time and money when it’s time to cook for their customers.

#1 – Fully Loaded Catering Kitchens

Meal prep companies tell us our large kitchens have everything they need to fill weekly orders – and then some. They also use them to prep for parties or cater weddings or other special events. Flow and functionality is what they appreciate most. Our kitchen layout is efficient and all the equipment you need is right there in the space you rent. There’s a sink, refrigerator, 6-burner range, flat top, 5-rack convection baking oven, and two stainless steel prep tables. There’s also a deep fryer if you need one, or a char broiler – the best way to grill all those chicken breasts just the way your customers like them.

Our members also tell us it feels like you’re working in your own kitchen, even if just for the day. While there are other kitchens in the building, the one you rent is yours – no competing for space or equipment.

There’s also plenty of room when it’s time to portion and pack up your food. You can rent a speed rack at the last minute, too, if you need temporary storage. This means you can roll large orders into the walk-in and chill them overnight. They’ll be ready to go when you return in the morning to start delivery.

#2 – We’re Open 24/7

Are you a night owl? Come in and prep all night. Early birds, we’ve got you too. Garden State Kitchen is open 24 hours. We are ready when you are, no matter what time it is, or what you’re cooking up for your customers.

#3 – On-site Dishwashing!

Yes, we do the dishes – your dishes! All our members tell us that working in a full-service kitchen – the only one in NJ – is a huge perk. They say the convenience of on-site dishwashing saves them time, and even reduces stress. After cooking for customers all day, the last thing they want to do is wash dishes. We get it. That’s why we take care of it. Our professional cleaning staff washes all the pots, pans, equipment, utensils, and more. They also make sure everything is sanitized, organized, and ready to go for our members. It’s a no-brainer.

#4 – Collaboration and Community

We take pride in our collaborative community of food entrepreneurs. While each meal prep company that cooks here has its own specialty, they share one thing in common: They are all growing food businesses cooking to keep their customers happy.

Since our kitchens are next to each other, members can meet and work together if they want to. This happens all the time. We see companies share tips on suppliers, staffing, food packaging, and more. We’ve even seen companies team up to bring their customers something new. One made dinners that featured a member’s special spice mix. Another offered seasonal desserts as an add-on. They cross promoted to boost customer awareness and strengthen both businesses. It’s a classic win-win situation.

#5 – A Big Selection of Small Wares

Sometimes you forget to bring a peeler. Or maybe you just need another one to get the job done faster. We have a large selection of kitchen tools ready for you to use while you’re here. Our shelves are filled with knives, spatulas, tongs, funnels, measuring spoons, just about any type of small ware, just in case. These are clutch for that time you didn’t know you’d need a grater. Or when your employee forgot their chefs knife. It’s all here if you need it.

#6 – No Monthly Fees

We understand the importance of flexibility when you’re starting to grow your business. Our kitchen on demand model means you don’t have to commit to monthly fees or a certain number of hours. You pay only for the time you need, starting with our four-hour minimum. This works well for our member meal prep companies who have different needs on different days. When their filling orders for family dinner, they spend a full day in one of our catering kitchens. Later in the week, they may just need four hours to prep and pack light lunches. At Garden State Kitchen you pay for what you need, when they need it. Nothing more and nothing less.

#7 – Storage Shelves

Since meal prep companies tend to make many types of meals on the same day, they like to store their spices and staples at Garden State Kitchen. Some also use our dry storage area to hold to-go packaging, bulk ingredients, special tools, whatever they need to cook and fill orders. They say it’s worth it to not have to store everything at home and then move it back and forth each time they come to cook. To save even more time, some rent space in our walk-in refrigerator. They say it’s nice to have everything ready and waiting for them.

#8 – Coworking Space

Sometimes you need professional space that isn’t made for cooking. Our coworking loft with desks, wifi, and a printer, is yours to use at no extra cost. Bring your laptop and confirm orders or reconcile billing. Or just take a quick break and have a snack.

#9 – Member’s Pantry

Did you forget your salt? No problem. We have a box and you can use some at no extra cost. We keep a selection of basic items on hand for our members to use in a pinch. They tell us this is a true convenience. It’s much easier and cost-effective than running to the store while you’re paying for kitchen time.

#10 – Maintenance and Repairs Are Covered

When a Vitamix breaks, we fix it. When it snows, we plow the parking lot. And if a scale stops working, we replace it. We take pride in maintaining our space and making repairs as quickly as possible. We also cover these hidden costs of doing business so you don’t have to. Our meal prep customers tell us they prefer to spend time cooking instead of worrying about equipment and repairs. We’re happy to make sure everything works when it’s supposed to.

Come See What We Mean

If you’d like to learn more about any of our kitchens, or the services we provide, we’d love to show them to you. Why not take a tour? You can check out our video here. Even better, book a time to come see us in person. It’s the best way to decide if Garden State Kitchen is the right place for you to grow your food business.

The post 10 Reasons Meal Prep Companies Love Us (and You Will Too) appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

Here are seven of the best things that happened in the kitchen this year:

#1 Graduations

While it’s bittersweet when our members “graduate” from Garden State Kitchen into their own spaces, it’s truly a reason to celebrate their success. Join us in congratulating – and supporting – these businesses who opened doors in 2022:

• Puras Paletas, West Orange, NJ
• BelleJohns’ Soul Food, West Orange, NJ
• With a Touch of Love, Montclair, NJ

#2 New Members

For every entrepreneur who moves on, we are fortunate to count a new company as a member! Check out three of the small food businesses who joined the Garden State Kitchen community in 2022:

• A Butter Life
• Plant Based Planet
• Bobey Lou

#3 Community Partnerships

We’re excited to be working with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey on a variety of initiatives in 2023! Save the date for our first co-hosted event, a fundraiser for the food bank at Garden State Kitchen on 2/11/23, 11am-3pm. 

#4 Website Redesign

We’re super proud of our updated site, and we hope you like it too. 

#5 The Formula Re-launch

We created a 100% online version of our signature workshop series, The Formula. We have great a year of programming planned, starting with How to Sell Your Food at Farmers Markets, Pop Ups, & Events on 1/18/23. Learn more here.

#6 Team Building

The Garden State Kitchen team is the best! This year we celebrated together at an ice cream social. Check out this photo of the event – and give us a follow while you’re there.

#7 Better Dish Soap 

Yes, we said soap. This may seem like a small thing, but we always strive to find better, more cost-effective, and more efficient ways to serve our members, so every little bit helps. Don’t forget: WE DO THE DISHES! That’s right, we are the only full-service kitchen in the region, meaning we handle all of the dishes and cleaning for you, so soap matters a great deal to us. 

Happy New Year! We hope to see you in the kitchen soon!

The post 7 Best Things That Happened in the Kitchen This Year appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

With Thanksgiving and Small Business Saturday coming up, we’re taking a minute to salute food entrepreneurs everywhere, but especially those who cook at Garden State Kitchen. As a small business ourselves, we get it. We take pride in this community and the incredible food produced 24/7 in our six kitchens. Check out the goods from a few of our members: Cake Jars, The Salt & Prepper, Yuyuca, Garnish, and Shi’s Cakes & Things.

Thinking about starting a small food business? From prep to baking to catering and beyond, we’ve got your cooking needs covered. We even do the dishes. Here are the steps to get started:

The post We’re Grateful for Small Business appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

Summer means beach days, farmers markets, and lots of ice cream cones. This summer, there’s hot stuff happening here at Garden State Kitchen! We’re welcoming many new faces and saying farewell to some who’ve been with us from the beginning. (Watch this space for their success stories.) We also just hosted an ice cream social here in the kitchen parking lot. Some of our member entrepreneurs enjoyed a tasty treat with Garden State Kitchen staff on a warm summer afternoon. Thanks to all of you who joined us – and we hope to see you at the next gathering.

Enjoy these lovely, final days of summer and keep in touch. There’s always something great happening at GSK. Want to subscribe to our newsletter?

The post The Kitchen Hosts a Summer Ice Cream Social appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

As a small business, we know from experience that entrepreneurs are stronger together. This month, we salute local food businesses that are moving forward and innovating in this crazy, uncertain time. Here are their stories:

💡Makers Connect with Customers at a Social Distance
During our recent online workshop, Kia Palmer, pastry chef and co-owner of Palmer’s and Ester Mallach, co-founder, co-owner and head baker at Ester’s Treats each explained how they’re changing the way they do business. 

After closing her shop to the public, Kia dialed up her social media skills and pivoted her business online. Customers now order from a selection of her regular offerings which she bakes one day a week for pick up.
With farmers markets still figuring out how social distancing will work, Ester recently moved from a cash-based, face-to-face business to online ordering with contactless delivery, a big change. 
In addition to contactless delivery for locals and curbside pickup at the Montclair Farmers Market, Adventure Kitchen is offering wholesale pricing to anyone who’s struggling financially, no questions asked. 
Suitcase Bakery has started online pre-orders with a separate pick-up table at the Denville Farmers’ Market.

💡Small Businesses Feed Frontline Heroes
So Fresh So Clean Meal Prep’s Steve Cortopassi and Gina Hascup delivered their signature meals to medical workers at St. Joseph’s hospital in Paterson and a family medical practice.
Chef Renee Blackman prepared, delivered and donated 300 meals (check out this video!) to doctors, nurses and frontline medical personnel. 
Nutrition for Longevity delivered meals to Morristown Medical Center and started nonprofit United 4 Longevity to provide nutrient-rich snacks and meals to ICU and other healthcare workers. 

💡How to Pivot in a Changing Marketplace
Terry Frishman and Deborah Engel, two business consultants who were panelists in our recent webinar, are both helping food entrepreneurs adapt.
Terry, founder and owner of Culinest, brainstorms creative solutions for companies to grow and reach customers.
Deborah moderates the Coronavirus Relief for Freelancers and Small Businesses Facebook group and offers virtual memberships to Work and Play, her coworking space. 
Has Covid-19 impacted your business? We’d love to share your story – drop us a line.
Need help? Check out our resources page.

The post Entrepreneurs Helping Entrepreneurs appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

We are delighted to have a strong cohort of entrepreneurs who are going strong at GSK.  Our makers tell us that their customers love that they are working in a professional, clean commercial kitchen.  Check out their profiles and support them if you can!  They are perfect fodder for making your friends on video chat super-jealous of your eats!  🙂

Belle John’s – taking orders of their delicious soul food for home delivery – order early, they sell out!

So Fresh So Clean – taking orders of their signature fresh and clean meal-delivery favorites and awesome cold-pressed juices

Wing Champ – amazing wings and other comfort foods Friday and Saturday nights, available via curbside pick-up at GSK or home delivery

Nutrition 4 Longevity – fresh meals and meal kits that focus on nutrient meals inspired by the Longevity Diet and centenarian regions

Graze & Braise – ready to eat meals focused on delicious but including paleo, gluten-free, and dairy-free options

Suitcase Bakery – delicious freshly baked speciality breads, available at local farmers markets

Yellow Rose Vegan – online vegan bake shop delivering throughout NJ & NY, donating $1 for every $10 that they earn in sales to Table to Table

The Foraged Feast – locally and sustainably sourced purveyor of wild and specialty provisions, available at a variety of farmers markets in the area

Poppikit – cake baking & decorating kits for kids & parents: use their special discount code ATHOMEFUN25 for 25% off any cookie Pop kit when you buy a mini cake kit

Verree & Moorefield – handcrafted ice cream made with organic grass-fed dairy from local farms, available at two local area grocers

Chumani Chili Oil – seriously delicious chili oil, home delivered in northern NJ: if you order two or more bottles, they’ll sell it to you for 20% off

We look forward to seeing your pictures online sampling all the goodies our GSK makers have to offer! Be sure to tag us online at @gardenstatekitchen!

The post A Sampling of Entrepreneurs at Garden State Kitchen appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

If you’re feeling discouraged about how long its taking you to get your business going, we hope that taking a trip down our extremely lengthy road to where we are now will inspire you. And remember we are always here to help, motivate, and support.

We can’t wait to see what we add to our timeline in the future. But, Garden State Kitchen wants to support you, whether you’re a food entrepreneurs or another member of our community. What do you want to see Garden State Kitchen do next? We look forward to hearing from you!

The post The Long Road To Getting Here appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

If you don’t know who we are, Garden State Kitchen (GSK) is a kitchen incubator that recently opened in the Valley Arts District of Orange, NJ. The definition of a kitchen incubator is “a shared use commercial kitchen dedicated to supporting small food-based businesses.” We ring true to this description, with four kitchen spaces for rent and a line- up of education workshops and events. At Garden State Kitchen we know the ins and outs of everything required for food distributors and entrepreneurs to bring something new to the market – and if we cannot give you the answer, we know someone who can. It’s our mission to provide our community with the resources and services that allow them and their products to shine.

Being an active part of our local Orange, and the greater New Jersey community is another aim of Garden State Kitchen. This is not a new goal of ours. As early as five years ago, when we first came up with the idea for GSK, we began curating food and participating in a myriad of events, allowing us to start sharing our mission, spirit, and values with those around us. These efforts enabled us to build an amazing team of cheerleaders, coworkers, and supporters, who continue to grow and change. We could not have gotten to where we are today without all of you, and we are truly grateful.

The past two months have been full of excitement for the GSK team and have proven to us that dreams really do come true! On November 10th & 11th we held our first event at the kitchen. It was an amazing two-day open house, full of celebrations with family and friends, meeting new entrepreneurs and people in the community, and introducing everyone to our new space. And of course, our food was on point; guests enjoyed lunch from B&C Soul Food Catering and The Little Eggplant, as well as snacks from Esters Treats, Karen’s Cookies, The Cake Pound, Simply Delightful Treats, and A Butter Life Bakery.

Our official opening date was Monday, November 12th, and from the first moment we were open (literally), we’ve had makers in the space – it has been truly amazing to see! What is even more incredible is that the impact we are making on the community is already noticeable. In an interview with GSK member Erica, founder of Three Daughters Baking Company, when asked how her business has changed over time, she responded, “The biggest change has been joining Garden State Kitchen and being able to expand our range of products and customers.” This Christmas Eve, Chef Jesse held a toy drive in our event space, sharing his delicious food in exchange for toys to give out to those less fortunate in our community. We are in the midst of planning and collaborating with the city and school district of Orange, the Syrian Supper Club, and many more organizations that work at helping and bettering our neighborhood and our world.

We are looking forward to 2019 and all the possibilities that it brings, and are especially thrilled to have this new platform to share it on with all of you. We hope that you will share your comments, start conversations about what you read, and let us know if there is a specific topic or local entrepreneur you would like us to write about. We look forward to hearing from you!

The GSK Team

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