Small producers have lots of challenges when it comes to starting and operating their business, just like any other entrepreneur. But one thing that seems particularly hard is finding a good place to actually produce the product. Home kitchens don’t usually fly because they have to pass all kinds of state regulations and inspections and purchasing your own space that’s fully equipped can cost a lot of dough. Community kitchens are an affordable alternative that allows a producer to rent space to produce their product.

La Cocina an “incubator kitchen” in San Francisco goes far and above what most community kitchens offer - which is typically just space and equipment. La Cocina actually has staff on hand that helps teach these small producers about bringing their product to market and offer many different sessions to help their business succeed. Sort of like a mini TechStars for food producers. Here is nice video they put together that explains more in detail, how it all works.

I was excited to see that one of the Slow Dinners that is a part of the Slow Food Nation event, is actually in partnership with La Cocina. I was bummed to find out it was happening on a night that we already had plans.

A collaboration between the Mission’s Delfina Restaurant and La Cocina Community Kitchen, a nonprofit, shared use commercial kitchen and business incubator for low-income entrepreneurs. The evening’s special alla carte menu will feature Italian-inspired dishes from Delfina’s summer repertoire alongside similar, but Latin-inspired dishes created by La Cocina staff. Delfina Restaurant is committed to using only local, sustainable and seasonal market ingredients. A percentage of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to La Cocina.

I hope the La Cocina model spreads to other cities because while I think the kitchen itself is great, the mentorship from other food professionals is really what helps the small producers get their business off the ground.

For producers in cities that don’t yet have their own La Cocina, here is a great blog that maintains a list of commercial and community kitchens available for rent.