In 2019, Nikki began hosting pop-up events and supper clubs while also offering plant-based meal prep and crafting small-batch food products. Like many in the industry, she adapted to changing circumstances. By 2020, she was offering personal chef services, and in 2022 she launched Plated by Nikki in order to bring her unique approach to meal prep to an even larger audience.

From Inspiration to Innovation

Nikki’s health journey has deeply influenced her approach to cooking, inspiring her to focus on nutritious and satisfying meals. Working closely with private clients to design custom menus has shown her the importance of creativity and adaptability in meeting diverse health needs and family preferences. Through these experiences, she’s proven that eating well can be both flavorful and varied, highlighting the joy in wholesome, nourishing food.

Plated by Nikki will soon introduce a small kids’ menu, featuring recipes tested and approved by even the pickiest eaters. Many dishes will include hidden veggies, making them both delicious and nutrient-packed. Highlights include Turkey Kale Meatballs, Macaroni Bolognese with their veggie-rich marinara, and Mac & Cheese with a veggie-infused cheese sauce.

Customized Meals, Crafted with Care

Nikki’s meal prep service combines convenience, nutrition, and exceptional taste. Meals are offered a la carte and packaged family-style, letting you mix and match proteins, sides, and sauces to suit your preferences. Her menus include gluten-free, vegetarian, and meat-based options, ensuring something for everyone.

Plated by Nikki emphasizes quality with organic proteins and produce, pasture-raised eggs, and grass-fed meats, avoiding unwanted additives like antibiotics or hormones. Transparent nutritional information empowers you to make informed choices, and eco-friendly, compostable packaging means you can enjoy meals sustainably and guilt-free.

The Commissary Advantage: A Platform for Growth

Operating out of Garden State Kitchen has been a valuable resource as Nikki adjusts and expands her services. With access to shared resources, professional equipment, and reduced overhead, our kitchen provides food entrepreneurs the flexibility to refine their offerings, test new ideas, and scale operations. This environment meets the needs of various business models, allowing entrepreneurs like Nikki to focus on perfecting their craft and responding to market demands efficiently.

By sharing Nikki’s journey, we celebrate not only her achievements but also the benefits of a supportive culinary ecosystem. For anyone considering a step into the food business, Garden State Kitchen might just be the perfect place to start—or restart—their journey.

The post Carving Out Her Place in the Food Industry appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

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.

Farm-to-Table Distributors

Zone 7 

A staple in the New Jersey local food supply chain, Zone 7 connects chefs and food businesses with over 120 sustainable farms in the region. Their focus is on fresh, seasonal ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, dairy, and proteins sourced from New Jersey and Pennsylvania farms. Zone 7 provides a convenient online ordering system and delivers directly to kitchens, ensuring that the produce you receive is harvested at peak freshness.

Harvest Drop 

Known for its 100% local sourcing model, Harvest Drop works with over 75 different producers throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. They specialize in a wide variety of seasonal produce, proteins, eggs, mushrooms, and other specialty ingredients. Harvest Drop’s unique approach allows for ingredients to be delivered to customers within 24 hours of harvest​. Harvest Drop’s user-friendly online ordering system makes it easy for businesses to browse available products and plan their menus around local, seasonal offerings.

National & Regional Distributors with Local Focus

Ace Natural

Ace Natural is a distributor of organic and sustainably produced foods, serving the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut areas. They offer a wide range of products, including local and regional options, such as organic produce, bulk grains, dairy, and plant-based proteins, making them a key resource for businesses looking to incorporate sustainable ingredients into their menus.

Baldor Specialty Foods 

Although headquartered in New York, Baldor Specialty Foods is a major supplier of fresh produce and specialty items to New Jersey businesses. They offer an impressive selection of locally sourced products, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and artisanal goods. Baldor’s commitment to quality and their efficient distribution network make them a popular choice for chefs and food service professionals throughout the region. Their online platform makes ordering simple, and they offer flexible delivery options for New Jersey-based customers.

Gargiulo Produce 

Based in South Jersey, Gargiulo Produce is a family-owned wholesale produce distributor that has been serving the tri-state area for decades. Known for their commitment to sourcing high-quality fruits and vegetables, Garguilo Produce works closely with both local farms and national suppliers to ensure a consistent supply of fresh products year-round. Their extensive inventory and reliable delivery service make them a valuable partner for restaurants and food businesses looking to incorporate both local and global ingredients into their dishes. 

Regional Access

Based in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Regional Access is a distributor that specializes in local and regional products from the Northeast. They offer a diverse selection of artisanal foods, beverages, and specialty items, many of which are sourced from small producers in New Jersey and neighboring states. Their focus on supporting local economies and sustainable practices aligns well with businesses seeking to emphasize locally sourced ingredients. 

Riviera Produce

Riviera Produce offers a vast selection of local and nationally procured produce, dairy, and specialty items to chefs throughout New Jersey and the broader Tri-State Area. By balancing local partnerships with national sourcing, Riviera Produce ensures that New Jersey’s food businesses have access to both the freshest local ingredients and a vast selection of products from across the country.

UNFI (United Natural Foods, Inc.)

UNFI is one of North America’s largest distributors of natural and organic foods, offering a diverse selection of locally sourced and specialty products to retailers and food service providers across New Jersey. Their focus on sustainability and organic offerings helps businesses incorporate eco-friendly and regional ingredients into their offerings. With both a national reach and an emphasis on local sourcing, UNFI connects New Jersey businesses to fresh produce, groceries, and hard-to-find specialty items.

Farmers’ Markets and Local Farms

New Jerseyans are lucky to have access to approximately 150 community farmers’ markets across the state, providing direct access to fresh, seasonal produce from local farms. These markets offer an excellent opportunity for chefs and food businesses to build relationships with farmers and source unique, high-quality ingredients. Many of the community farmers’ markets are open for six months out of the year, and winter markets are becoming more popular as farmers extend their growing season through the use of high tunnels. Find a market near you via one of the following guides:

Edible Jersey

Edible Jersey’s list of farmers’ markets is divided by county and includes the dates and times for each market, as well as a link to each market’s website. 

Jersey Fresh

The Jersey Fresh website provides a searchable database to locate on-farm markets, community farmers’ markets, wineries, breweries, and more. You can also search for pick-your-own locations.

Bringing New Jersey’s Best to Your Menu

New Jersey’s rich agricultural landscape and innovative food distribution networks provide ample opportunities for sourcing local, high-quality ingredients. By partnering with distributors like Zone 7 and Harvest Drop, or working directly with local farms and specialty suppliers, food businesses can create menus that showcase the best of what the Garden State has to offer. This commitment to local sourcing not only ensures fresh, flavorful dishes but also supports the state’s agricultural community and promotes sustainable food systems.

Garden State Kitchen offers convenient cold, frozen, and dry storage subscriptions, allowing you to effectively manage and store all your ingredients in one place.

Have a resource to add to this list? Send us a note and let us know!

The post Where to Source Local Ingredients in New Jersey appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

A Lifelong Love of Food

Olivia has been working as a food stylist and recipe developer for over 15 years. She’s even authored two cookbooks! Her passion for food began in childhood and took her to Le Cordon Bleu for her culinary education. When she moved to Maplewood with her family a few years ago, she befriended many other parents of small children who struggled to find time to cook wholesome meals for their families, but dreaded the existing takeout options. Olivia shared some of her home cooking with friends, and the excitement over her dishes kick-started her desire to bring a dinnertime solution to more families. 

Balancing Niche with Wide Appeal

Meal prep is definitely trending, so how does a new entry into the market carve out a place for themselves? One key to building and retaining a customer base is finding a niche audience while offering enough variety to keep them coming back. For Olivia’s, that niche is family-friendly meals. Comforting but healthy. Familiar but with a flavorful twist. And they alway ensure there’s something on the menu to suit choosier kids. 

Keeping It Real

If you’ve seen Olivia’s website and social media, you’ll have seen her skills as a food stylist. Her dishes look drool-worthy and are great advertising. But pretty pictures don’t keep customers coming back. Olivia’s recipes are solid, and so is her business management. Beyond the delicious food and the convenient and reliable delivery service, is Olivia’s down-to-earth attitude. The tone of Olivia’s website and social media is friendly and a bit cheeky. Olivia welcomes us as family. And Olivia listens to her family of customers. She checks in with her audience to learn what they have a hankering for and makes the effort to meet those requests. 

An Eye on the Environment

With two young children, Olivia is mindful of the earth their generation will inherit. Olivia’s uses compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging. And they source their produce and meats locally when possible. Garden State Kitchen has employed a composting company since we opened, so all of the food scraps produced in our space are collected and composted. 

Starting Up at Garden State Kitchen

As in demand as Olivia’s is, they don’t need commercial kitchen space seven days a week (yet!). Garden State Kitchen keeps their costs down to what they need and use. We have the ranges, the ovens, the charbroiler, the mixers, the sheet pans, and almost all the other appliances and gear you need to start cooking on Day One in our kitchens. We have dry, cold, and frozen storage available. And best yet, we do the dishes and the cleaning. Whether you’re going home for the night or going on vacation, you won’t have a facility to worry about or repairs to arrange. We take care of the kitchens so that you can create!

The post Launching a Food-Based Business, Even With a Full Plate appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

Brick City Candy is a social enterprise with a powerful goal: to provide training, support, and employment opportunities to previously incarcerated individuals, helping them forge a new path forward. Inspired by Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, they spread their message by creating, producing, and selling delicious candy creations. We at Garden State Kitchen couldn’t be more proud to provide the kitchen they need to support their important work.

The post Sweet Second Chances appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

Latisha Thornton, CEO/Owner of Sweet Tee’s Catering and Event Planning, started cooking professionally more than a decade ago. She opened a restaurant, tuned up her business model during the pandemic, and she’s now busier than ever. Here’s how renting one of our commercial kitchens helps her cater large events and keep her customers coming back for more.

The Day Starts Early

Latisha’s phone starts ringing early in the morning. Sometimes she takes a quiet moment to focus and get ready for the day because she knows once it starts, she won’t stop. Every day, Latisha takes about 20 calls from clients, vendors, and the members of her team who make her catered events happen. Then there are the follow up texts, emails, and everything else that comes with running the show. She’s busy this spring, but every season is busy for Sweet Tees’s Catering and Event Planning. And she couldn’t be happier.

A Family Tradition Turns Into a Business

This year, Sweet Tee’s is celebrating 10 years with a big anniversary party, but her story starts much earlier. Latisha started cooking for her family when she was eight years old. She learned from her mother, watching and prepping by her side. Fast forward to adulthood and she started cooking for friends. She loved the connections that happen when people gather over food to celebrate and share their lives.

In 2012, she took it a step further with a special New Year’s Day brunch for her family. The event instantly became a tradition. The following year, she included friends too, widening the circle. The year after that, word got out – and she had a line out the door of people waiting to come in. That’s when she realized she had a food business waiting to happen. And maybe more.

Great Food + Excellent Customer Service

Today, Latisha describes herself as a serial entrepreneur who’s always run small businesses in addition to her career in finance. Food and hospitality remain at the core. She now leaves the cooking to her staff, but Sweet Tee’s is still known for incredible food. Her menu features American fare with many influences. You’ll find soul food, southern cuisine, and flavors that cross the map from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean with tastes of Asia.

In addition to her delicious meals, Latisha’s known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and the responsive communication that keeps her events business humming. Her customers enjoy her casual contemporary style and say she listens to them. She’s creative and easy to work with. This is how she consistently exceeds expectations and guarantees everyone gets the party they really want.

Pandemic Closure Brings Time to Focus on the Future

Sweet Tee’s started as a restaurant in Clark, NJ. Latisha built a solid business, but when the pandemic hit, she was forced to pivot like everyone in the industry. She immediately moved her business online and focused on delivery. She also started experimenting with new revenue streams such as meal prep. During the shutdown, she took time to hone her ideas and tighten her offering. This laid the foundation for her to scale into the comprehensive events business she runs today.

Over the years, she’s built relationships with venues, musicians, bartenders, DJs, servers, cooks, bakers, anyone she can hire to fulfil any client request. This suite of services, combined with stellar food and customer relations, has proven successful. It also allows her to keep all the pieces of the business under her umbrella and offer clients a one-stop shop.

Commercial Kitchen Space Is Key

Behind the scenes in the kitchen, she has two options for commercial cooking. For events of up to 50 guests, her staff preps out of a small kitchen in Linden. For heavy catering events of up to 500 people, she relies on Garden State Kitchen. Our catering kitchens are built for high volume cooking and come with the professional equipment she needs to get big jobs done. Since we rent space on demand, she can book a kitchen when she needs it, for as long as she needs it. She also rents dry, cold, and frozen storage shelves, so her ingredients are ready when she is.

Takeout + Delivery Based at GSK

A new, growing part of Latisha’s business is Sweet Tee’s To Go. She runs this takeout and delivery service at Garden State Kitchen on Friday and Saturday. Customers order from a set menu of her specialties – mains like crab cakes, fried whiting, Rasta pasta, and sides of string beans, potato salad, cabbage and collards, to name a few. Lemonade and southern sweet tea round out the beverage menu. When it’s ready, customers can pick up their meals in Garden State Kitchen’s designated takeout area. Or they can use one of the delivery apps such as Door Dash to have it brought to their home.

Latisha says her takeout business has been slow to start because her core customer base lives in Union and Middlesex counties. However, as a veteran of the industry, she knows it takes time to build momentum and get established in a new area. She also knows how to get the word out. To increase awareness, she passes out flyers in the neighborhood and posts on social media. She says it’s paying off and that word of mouth is working too. To further maximize her time in the kitchen during this startup phase, her crew simultaneously preps for catered events, whenever it makes sense.

Government Contracting Brings More Bookings

Government contracting is another way she gains customers. She took the time to get Sweet Tee’s certified, a paperwork intensive process, with state and federal governments. Being a preferred vendor helps her win big catering bids and connect with local municipalities for corporate events.

In addition to corporate, municipal, and private parties, Sweet Tee’s partners with entertainers to host themed events in local eateries. On weekends, she brings Soulful Sunday Brunch, a delicious buffet with cocktails and a DJ, to an upscale lounge. She also produces comedy shows and special nights out. Next month, she’ll present Sweet Tee’s 10^th anniversary celebration, an elegant food and wine tasting with many special guests. (Mark your calendars for April 28!)

The Future is Bright

With this big milestone achievement, Latisha is excited about the future. And she’s turning up the heat on her business even more. She plans to one day have a multipurpose venue of her own. It will be a space with a commercial kitchen where she can host events, parties, cooking classes, and serve as a headquarters for her business. Until then, we are here for Sweet Tee’s, on demand and ready to get cooking the next time her phone rings.

If you want to hear more about what it’s like to cook a Garden State Kitchen, text or call (201) 589-1456.

The post How to Cater Your Way to the Top 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.

Meet local pastaio Matt Ruzga. Matt owns Porta Rossa Pasta & Provisions, a shop that started in our shared commercial kitchen as an artisanal pasta delivery service.

Matt’s story begins during the pandemic. After spending years mastering his craft at the best Italian restaurants in NYC, Matt suddenly found himself at home. The Covid quarantine, however, freed him from the hustle of running professional kitchens. Away from places like Marta, Del Posto, the Fox & Falcon, he found time to dream about a business of his own.

Access to Commercial Kitchen Turns Dream into Reality

After rolling pasta and simmering sauces at home, he joined Garden State Kitchen and made his business a reality. He started sending weekly emails to customers to sell his food. When orders and quantities came in, he shopped for ingredients and booked just the right amount of kitchen hours. In one of our catering kitchens, he prepped, packed, and rolled out for delivery.

Matt also used our shared cooking space to work out kinks and scale up. Because he didn’t have to pay high monthly membership fees, or cover utilities or insurance, he could experiment without taking on a lot of risk. Paying only for storage and kitchen time meant he could fold profits back into his business. This cost savings, along with a successful crowdfunding campaign, gave him enough to open a place of his own.

Business is Booming

Today, Porta Rossa (yes, with a red door) stands as a specialty grocery store where Matt sells local and imported products. He still simmers sauces and rolls pasta into traditional shapes that tell a story beyond typical grocery store shelves – and he’s still growing his concept. He constantly creates delicious new items for his customers. Fresh herbed focaccia waits on the counter and there’s a daily selection of hand-spun gelato to choose from. A small list of sandwiches evolved into a full lunch menu – along with a need for more seating. This spring brings even more growth. A new outdoor dining patio will welcome diners when the weather is nice.

Evening Dinners + Special Events

Though Porta Rossa is open mainly during the day, Matt has ventured into some evening activities. He recently led an after hours pasta-making class, sharing his love of the craft. He’s also hosted exclusive dinners in conjuction with a local wine shop which provided pairings. ‘An Evening in Abruzzo’ took diners on a flavorful trip from the mountains to the sea, just east of Rome.

True to Italian Roots

While Porta Rossa’s offering keeps expanding Matt stays true to his roots. He still makes small batch pasta the old fashioned way, focusing on technique and context. Every shape tells a story of place and time in Italian history. Some require custom extruders or are cut by hand. Others he stuffs with fresh cheese or ingredients available only for a moment in the season. All are available by the pound to take home and enjoy.

If you drop in (and we think you should) please say hello! And if you’re looking for a way to grow your dream food business, we have a kitchen ready for you too. Come take a tour.

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The post How to Grow an Artisanal Pasta Business appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

Meet Molli Dowd, architect of Edible Estates, a luxury craft gingerbread house company. Molli bakes her special cookie kits in our shared rental kitchen and prepares the icing and decorations. While she designs gingerbread houses for any occasion – including sweet renditions of her customers’ summer homes – winter is go time. Now, she’s busy scaling her business in our professional baking kitchen – and celebrating a recent feature in New Jersey Monthly! Congrats Molli!

Cake Jars also books extra hours at Garden State Kitchen during the colder months. This purpose-driven business spends a few days a week crafting their desserts in our professional baking kitchen. This winter, they’re at the Union Square Holiday Market with some sweet new offerings. Owner Dawn Estrada donates part of proceeds to two non-profit children’s health organzations. She’s also showcasing her new 100% vegan menu, a bonus her customers appreciate. If you want to see what it’s like to vend at a big festive market, stop by the Cake Jars booth. While you’re there, pick up a jar and treat yourself!

If you’re inspired by these stories, we’ve got the perfect place for you to grow your food business. Take the first step. Sign up for a virtual tour or come see us soon.

The post Members Make the Most of the Holidays appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.

#1

Your Food Is Delicious

Whether you have a family recipe, a catering operation, or a special secret sauce, you love cooking and make a great product. Why not share it with the world? Everyone eats, and everyone craves delicious food. Get started now before you see someone else run with your idea.

#2

The Local Economy Needs You

Small food businesses tend to keep capital in the neighborhood and boost local economies. They also create community because food brings people together. This means your business could have a positive impact right in your own town.

#3

You Don’t Need a Storefront

Buying our leasing cooking space is a big commitment, but you can launch your business without it. If you bake, you may qualify to run a home-based business as a licensed cottage food operator. If not, don’t worry. You can rent space by the hour in a licensed commercial kitchen like ours.

#4

Be Your Own Boss

As a food entrepreneur, you’ll work hard, but you can do it on your own terms. You’ll be the person in charge which means you decide when, where, and how you work. You’ll also hire employees, buy ingredients, and choose which suppliers will get your business – and which ones won’t.

#5

Bring Your Passion to Work

Since it’s your company, you can make your passion part of your business model from the very beginning. If you are committed to sustainability, choose to compost your food scraps (like we do at GSK). Or, donate a percentage of sales to a great cause. Your customers will appreciate your efforts.

#6

Because You’ve Always Wanted To!

There’s never going to be a perfect time to launch, but there will be a good time, and it might be sooner than you think. Don’t let fear, procrastination, or imposter syndrome keep you from your dreams. If you want to take one small step toward making it happen, come tour Garden State Kitchen and see what’s possible.

Want to see what it’s like to cook in a licensed professional kitchen? Watch our video here, or schedule a tour!

The post 6 Reasons to Start a Food Business in NJ appeared first on Garden State Kitchen.