Northern Kentucky Incubator Kitchen

In September 2013, I started the Northern Kentucky Incubator Kitchen (NKYIK).  Why? Let’s be honest, it’s not like I didn’t already have enough to do.  But, if you know me, you know that I am passionate about two things (ok – I can be passionate about a LOT of things!), but two really important things are: 1) local food and 2) supporting small businesses.  The beauty of the NKYIK is that I get to feed my passions and grow Grateful Grahams at the same time!

 With Grateful Grahams, I have a long history of using shared kitchen spaces.  After moving the business out of my house (the original shared kitchen space, right?), I rented space in a commercial kitchen.  My business grew, and I moved to a larger commercial kitchen that had more time slots available to accommodate my growing needs. 

But Grateful Grahams kept growing!  In January 2013, I moved into my own kitchen space on Pike St. Suddenly I was the “big company” and I began renting chunks of kitchen time to other small businesses.  But that kitchen wasn’t very large… and it didn’t take me long to outgrow it.  Perhaps it was kismet that brought me to this 5000 sq ft kitchen on Covington’s Madison Ave?

 When I moved into my current kitchen, I realized that shared kitchen space could be so much more than just a shared address.  And with that, the NKYIK was born.

To me, the NKYIK is a space for small producers to have a chance.  In a commercial kitchen, just a few hours each month can be all it takes for an artisanal food producer to turn an idea into reality. 

But more importantly, when a small business owner joins the NKYIK, they join a community.  Together, we can strengthen our businesses through consolidated buying power.  We share wisdom and heartaches. We learn from each other.  We make a difference in the world together.

Today, the NKYIK has 7 core companies – six of which are female-owned.  We make everything from vegan grahams, to kombucha to seasoned nuts in our kitchen.  We’ve had companies outgrow our space.  I get calls weekly from people interested in checking out the space. 

 It can be a scary step – taking your dream from “someday” to “today!” – but if your calling is to produce artisanal food products, and you live in the greater Cincinnati area, call me.  I’d love to show you around the place, introduce you to some other NKYIK tenants, and help you find the tools to make your dream your reality.

 I am so very grateful to have this NKYIK space and to be making a difference in our local, regional, and national food economy.  Together, we can make food differently – it just takes passion.

You can keep up-to-date with all that is cooking in the kitchen by liking our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/nkyincubatorkitchen

 In gratitude,

Rachel