Alchemist Kitchen

Alchemist Kitchen is a business training program and incubator serving aspiring food entrepreneurs from low-income populations in Sacramento. Alchemist Kitchen consists of two phases that build business acumen.

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