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City To Open Central Brooklyn's First Culinary Incubator This Summer

By Camille Bautista | March 12, 2015 4:47pm | Updated on March 13, 2015 4:48pm
 Brooklyn FoodWorks, central Brooklyn's first culinary incubator, will open at the former Pfizer building this summer.
Brooklyn FoodWorks, central Brooklyn's first culinary incubator, will open at the former Pfizer building this summer.
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Facebook/Dinner Lab

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Local food entrepreneurs will soon have a spot to test their recipes with the opening of central Brooklyn’s first culinary incubator.

Starting this summer, Brooklyn FoodWorks is set to offer commercial kitchen space and business mentoring at the former Pfizer building on Flushing Avenue.   

“We really see this as a community focal point around new food products and innovation in and around the area,” said Drew Barrett, president of Brooklyn FoodWorks.

Pop-up dining club Dinner Lab, which hosts unique events across 30 cities, is spearheading the initiative to help connect chefs with mentors in the industry.

Whether it’s someone who wants to share their grandmother’s hot sauce recipe with the world or a small-time caterer looking to expand their clientele, Brooklyn FoodWorks will serve as a launching pad to break into the business, Barrett added.

“The experience will be tailored to each individual,” Barrett said. “When you look across the country, Brooklyn is almost untouchable in these small-batch runs, and we’ll be tapping into the energy of food entrepreneurship to showcase that.”

Support from the city’s Economic Development Corporation and $1.3 million in funding from the Brooklyn Borough President’s office will assist in building out the 10,000-square-foot facilities.

Members can access co-working and classroom areas in addition to the kitchen, which will be open around the clock. The incubator is also expected to offer industry workshops on such topics as accounting, branding, and social media. 

Tastings and networking events will be also be open to the public to help chefs finesse their skills.

Brooklyn FoodWorks joins the city’s network of 16 business incubators that have helped more than 1,000 startups, according to officials. 

Members will be accepted on an application basis and rates have yet to be determined. The incubator is offering a $100,000 scholarship program for individuals that need additional financial support to cover the cost of classes and facilities.

For more information, visit the Brooklyn FoodWorks website or email info@thebrooklynfoodworks.com