Investors cook up incubator kitchen in downtown Sudbury

An incubator kitchen is expected to open soon in downtown Sudbury.

Investor Geoff McCausland said it's a certified, commercial kitchen that will be available to rent.

A couple of permanent clients will offer traditional restaurant meals, but people who can't afford their own commercial kitchens, such as new caterers, will be able to rent blocks of time.

“The fact is that it's prohibitively expensive, probably costs around $40,000 [to set up a commercial kitchen]… [and] you have to have a dedicated kitchen space that no one else uses or no kids or no animals and it's just not a real possibility for most people,” McCausland said.

It's a place where small food businesses can find their start.

McCausland, who plays violin in the Sudbury Symphony, is not a chef, but he likes the idea of creating “a space for people to do what they love … to do it even part-time so that they can get their start and be creative and find a passion in the city.”

'Wonderful resource'

The venue, called The Motley Kitchen, could be open within a month at the corner of Larch and Young in downtown Sudbury. Some downtown aficionados may remember the spot as the former Nibblers restaurant.

Shareholder Steven Caruso plans to run his Iron Pan Bakery out of the downtown facility.

The longest-running incubator kitchen in the province, FoodShare Toronto, opened in 1998.

Kitchen manager Alvin Rebick said he encourages the new owners to have a business strategy, and suggests making sure the kitchen is used 24-hours-a-day.         

“I think it's a wonderful resource for a community like Sudbury because there's such a shortage of work everywhere and there are a lot of young people who are excited around food,” he said.

McCausland said he estimates as many as 17 jobs will be created, along with part-time employment.