Info Rolls in About KitchenCru Community Kitchen Space

The massive downtown community kitchen space Eater reported about last week, KitchenCru, has some big plans to help emerging entrepreneurs. According to owner Michael Madigan, a former IT pro and avid home cook, the 3,000-square-foot kitchen space (featuring a separate baking and pastry kitchen) will be roomy enough to support five concurrent users. "There is a chef's bar that seats eight to 10 people, and a private dining area that seats up to 16 people," Madigan says. "Our clients could use the facilities in many ways: small dinner events, teaching classes, caterers could have clients in to taste sample menus, for example."

And the communal kitchen (and office) space isn't the only draw. A 1,000-square-foot retail wine store, CorksCru (say that aloud), will be run by former Square Deal proprietor Dan Beekley, and the staff at KitchenCru also aim to provide business and operational support, from help developing financial strategies to accepting scheduled deliveries on behalf of kitchen clients. "Our mission is to support small food based entrepreneurs in developing, operating, and growing a successful business," Madigan says, adding that potential clients include mobile food vendors, caterers, pastry chefs, and packaged food providers.

Projected opening date: February 2011.
· All Previous KitchenCru Coverage [Eater PDX]