👩🏽🍳 Local First Arizona, which has incubated more than 200 restaurants and food businesses since 2017 through its Good Food Boot Camp and community kitchens in Mesa and south Phoenix, has launched a third community kitchen in Maryvale.
Twelve female entrepreneurs – including immigrants from Haiti, Cuba, West Africa – are the first users of the new kitchen on the southeast corner of Thomas and 37th Avenue.
(Pictured: Fareedeh Afiune Pompa, owner of Muncheese Cake, which offers cheesecakes in a jar.)
Local First’s kitchens are aimed at removing barriers for people who otherwise could not afford to pursue their own food businesses. Shared kitchens in the Valley typically charge $40 or more per hour; Local First charges $8-$12 per hour.
In addition, users get free storage, cookware, and one-on-one mentoring from restaurant veterans.
Food entrepreneurs interested in joining a Local First community kitchen can apply here.
