Many aspiring chefs and food entrepreneurs have the skills and creativity to build successful businesses. What they often lack is affordable access to commercial kitchen space, regulatory guidance and the business support needed to turn ideas into reality.
That’s where Kitchen Council steps in.
Located at 1001 South 6th Street in Council Bluffs, Iowa, this food startup incubator exists to lower barriers to market entry for food entrepreneurs across Nebraska and Iowa. Since launching in 2017, Kitchen Council has supported more than 50 resident members and mentored over 600 prospective food business owners through its shared commercial kitchen and accelerator programming.
Building Community Through Collaboration
The collaborative environment Kitchen Council creates sets it apart from simply renting kitchen space. Members work alongside other food entrepreneurs, sharing feedback, tasting products and supporting each other’s growth.
“You have these food entrepreneurs that are working so hard but they’re not working alone,” said Jason Slajchert, director of Kitchen Council. “They’re working together, they’re collaborating. They’re tasting each other’s products and that’s a really hard thing to find. When I hear member feedback that’s the thing they cherish the most.”
This peer support system becomes especially valuable when navigating the complex business side of food production, from securing proper licensing to understanding health department regulations.
Where Food Ideas Become Food Businesses
Kitchen Council operates out of a 3,000-square-foot commercial kitchen inside the historic Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center. The facility is co-located with Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE), American Midwest Ballet, Chanticleer Theater and the Council Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.
The shared kitchen space includes commercial-grade equipment designed to support food production at scale, including Vulcan convection ovens, combination ovens, commercial ranges, a charbroiler, deep fryer, walk-in cooler and more. Members also gain access to storage options, a loading dock and specialized equipment like steam kettles and large commercial mixers.
Flexible Membership Options for Food Startups
Kitchen Council offers two monthly membership tiers to accommodate different production schedules and business models.
Full-Time Membership provides 24/7 access to the kitchen, a dedicated production table and two storage shelves for $475 per month.
Nights & Weekends Membership offers kitchen access from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday, plus 24-hour access on weekends, flex production space and two storage shelves for $375 per month.
Additional storage, specialty equipment and event space rental through the Hoff Center are available for extra fees. All members receive access to business development services including legal, accounting, planning, marketing and sales guidance.
Commercial-grade equipment supports food entrepreneurs at Kitchen Council in Council Bluffs.
More Than Just Kitchen Space
Starting a food business involves far more than cooking. Navigating health department regulations, securing proper licensing and understanding the business side of food production can feel overwhelming without support.
Kitchen Council provides members with educational resources, mentorship and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs working through similar challenges. The program helps members understand what it takes to start a business, where to begin and how to bring products to market successfully.
Since transitioning to Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation in late 2022, Kitchen Council has maintained its focus on regional collaboration and long-term sustainability while continuing to serve both Iowa and Nebraska-based food businesses.
Success Stories From Council Bluffs to Food Trucks
Many Kitchen Council graduates have successfully launched storefronts, expanded to farmers markets, grown wholesale operations or opened food trucks across the region. The incubator addresses a real problem: first-year failure rates for food businesses historically hover between 65 and 70 percent without proper support systems.
By combining affordable commercial kitchen access with business development programming and peer community support, Kitchen Council creates an environment where food entrepreneurs can test concepts, refine operations and build sustainable businesses.
How to Get Started With Kitchen Council
Food businesses must be licensed to work out of Kitchen Council. The organization does not offer daily or hourly rentals, focusing instead on monthly memberships that allow entrepreneurs to establish consistent production schedules.
Prospective members can visit kitchencouncil.org to learn more about the program and submit an inquiry. The Kitchen Council team reviews applications and meets with potential members to discuss their ventures, facility requirements and how the incubator can support their specific business goals.
Once accepted, members complete orientation and training before receiving access to the scheduling system and beginning production.
A Regional Partnership Supporting Food Innovation
Kitchen Council represents a collaborative effort between multiple organizations invested in regional food systems development, including Iowa West Foundation, Lakin Foundation, Schildberg Foundation, Council Bluffs Chamber, Greater Omaha Chamber, Conagra Brands and the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
The incubator continues fulfilling its original mission: helping talented food entrepreneurs across Nebraska and Iowa overcome barriers, build confidence and create thriving businesses in the vibrant culinary landscape of the region.
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