Start-up food firms set to get benefit of incubation kitchens

THERE was an early Christmas present from the County Council for start-up food firms operating in Cork.

Cork County Council announced that its new state-of-the-art food ‘incubation kitchens’ would be located in Carrigaline, after it confirmed it had awarded the contract to a local food safety consultant.

The kitchens can be rented by the hour, and are aimed at helping out burgeoning firms who are cash-poor in their early days.

Mary Daly of the Food Safety Company has been awarded the contract to manage the newest food incubation facility in Carrigaline. 

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr John Paul O’Shea, Cork County Council chief executive Tim Lucey and Mary Daly signed the contract at County Hall on Monday December 14th.

The state-of-the-art facility was developed by Cork County Council and includes the most modern and up-to-date kitchen equipment. 

The facility is geared towards assisting emerging and existing food ventures to start, grow and develop their business in a space that meets the highest food safety requirements. 

The kitchens will be available to rent on an hourly rate, eliminating the usual significant financial commitment needed to rent a kitchen space.

Cork Incubation Kitchens’ location in Carrigaline makes it easily accessible to Cork city and the Munster region. Mary Daly said her company was very excited to be part of this new business venture on behalf of Cork County Council. 

‘We look forward to supporting food businesses in order that they can test their strength and validate their business operation before they commit to a major investment. 

It is the perfect place to manufacture and test food products in a safe and compliant manner,’ she said.

Cork County Council chief executive Tim Lucey said the Council had committed very significant funding for the provision of two fully-equipped food grade commercial kitchens to facilitate a wide range of food producers, with flexible and affordable letting arrangements. 

Mr Lucey said the Food Safety Company was chosen following a competitive procurement process.