This morning, while pulling together the contact info of several commercial kitchens for a new food startup, I came across an article on Crain’s site discussing the heavy regulations Chicago enforces on food companies. If you’re interested in starting a food business, I suggest you take a look at the article. You might be surprised to find out that Chicago requires you to use commercial kitchens. Foods made in home kitchens are not legally allowed. This includes both manufacturing a product for sale in stores or online as well as preparing food for catering jobs.

Trying to find a commercial kitchen in Chicago? We’ve had good experiences (and know people who cook out of) the following kitchens:

Now We’re Cookin (located across from Savor’s offices)
www.nwcookin.com
847-570-4140 

Kitchen Chicago:
www.kitchenchicago.com
312.455.0863

Want more information? Kitchen Chicago, Now We’re Cookin’ and the benefits of commercial kitchens are all discussed in this recent Time Out Chicago article, which features testimonials from renters.  

Have you had an experience with a different commercial kitchen? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? Let us know, and we’ll add them to our list.