Alchemist Kitchen
Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA) is a 12-week business training course that teaches the basics of starting a food business. Topics covered range from financial literacy and legal business structures to recipe development and safe food handling.
The Incubator Program is open to select graduates of AMA and provides in-depth assistance customized to specific business needs- including technical assistance, mentorship and low-cost kitchen access.
We are also proud to run a shared-use commercial kitchen in North Sacramento. As we have worked with new food entrepreneurs, we have recognized the need for an affordable, shared-use commercial kitchen to provide them with the means to safely and legally prepare their food. It is our hope that this space will not only provide local food businesses with the tools needed to start and grow, but also provide a supportive entrepreneurial community.
Project History:
Alchemist CDC, assisted by a USDA Local Food Promotion Program planning grant and in-kind support from Dr. Kristin Kiesel (from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics – UC Davis), conducted a feasibility study to assess whether Alchemist Kitchen can be sustained in Sacramento. To read the entire feasibility study, click here. With additional in-kind support from Capsity Inc., (a California Benefit Corporation) we created a business plan for the successful creation of Alchemist Kitchen.
After receiving a FIPO grant facilitated by the Sacramento Promise Zone, the Alchemist Kitchen project officially launched with our first cohort of AMA in the summer of 2019.
If you are interested in learning more about this project, or helping it grow please contact AlchemistKitchen@alchemistcdc.org
The Alchemist Kitchen project was guided in its development by local business leaders and industry experts who made up an Advisory Committee. We are incredibly thankful for their contributions!
Alchemist Kitchen Advisory Committee:
Cameron Law- Carlsen Center @ Sac State
Christina Clarke- Clover Dairy
Corey Day- Stoel Rives, LLP
Dave Nelson- Industry Cooking
Eddy Boroumand- Fantastic Kitchen
Jamie Cutlip- SMUD
Jill Miller- Rabobank
Karen Henderson- Sac High Garden
Kristin Kiesel- UC Davis
Lane Lewis- United Business Bank
Matt Joy- Mechanics Bank
Paul Somerhausen- Sacto Mofo
Pavan Sandhu- SAFE Credit Union/ Lit Delhi
Rubie Simonsen- SBDC
Sergio Cuellar- Sierra Health Foundation
Shawn Mainville- CalWORKS
