The start
The idea of establishing a culinary incubator was born when corporate-dropout Salous struggled with getting permits for his newly bought food truck. Finding a small space around the city of Dubai was near impossible, and renting a large space was not financially feasible. Salous began searching for a comprehensive solution, a culinary incubator that tackles challenges and focuses on successful business practices. For Rami Salous the kitchen is a platform for those passionate about food to take their first courageous step. The concept of a kitchen incubator has been enormously successful around the world, however, it is still a novel concept in the UAE.
Operational costs
In a shared environment, food entrepreneurs can benefit from reduced operational costs. Starting a business can be quite costly - with countless setup fees from rental space, kitchen equipment, to go-to market strategy. Kitchen Nation is a new concept that provides a one stop shop that lowers the barriers to entry. Small food businesses are provided a cost-recovery, minimal risk, full-service commercial kitchen to help establish and grow operations, access, and distribution and provide revenue-driving services from ingredient sourcing to marketing.
Time management
Time is a huge operational benefit. Start-ups often struggle for additional time to finalize all the details involved when opening a new restaurant or culinary business. By partnering with an incubator, it can help speed up the process exponentially. This additional option is served within a fraction of time required when setting up a new kitchen. Foodpreneurs do not have to go through the process of hiring a kitchen team or resourcing equipment but instead, can focus on food quality and promoting their brand.
Kitchen equipment and staff
A commercial kitchen that is fully equipped with the latest appliances is a foodpreneur's dream come true. Designed by one of the best fit-out companies in the region to serve as both a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment, Kitchen Nation provides a customized option with an exceptional suite of services that will ultimately keep margins high and entrepreneurs happy. Foodpreneurs benefit from access to trained kitchen staff too who support brands in the creation process. Apart from the above, as an incubator, Kitchen Nation serves as a knowledge hub to foodpreneurs too. Being a newcomer in the F&B business can be intimidating. Start-ups require guidance and direction to create and achieve a successful business model. From assessing brand identity, to building and maintaining relationships with third-parties like suppliers, learning the ropes becomes an easy task with incubators establishing a supportive community. Through an incubator's collective experience, expertise and operational insight, businesses gain access to opportunities they need to accelerate their success. For those who are looking to build buzz around their brand, the incubator provides a platform that helps promote brands through pop-up restaurants, cooking classes and private events. Brands operating out of the incubator, such as Smith's Catering, can offer full-fledged catering services to all. With equipment and rental space being cost-effective, allocating budget towards advertising becomes a viable option for foodpreneurs who work out of Kitchen Nation. Other than the many benefits for foodpreneurs, customers are introduced to a fresh dining experience where authentic international cuisines can be ordered off a single menu. The vibrant mix of Middle Eastern, British and Jamaican cuisines allow you to order combinations such as jerk-chicken with a side of classic Levantine hummus, or a chip butty (sandwich) with a plate of kibbeh. Also, the availability of a diverse menu promotes the understanding of cultural flavors and tastes. Homegrown and lifestyle-oriented creations are also available to the public with the likes of bone broth, healthy kids' meals, vegan desserts and clean-eating meals. With the involvement of the community, foodpreneurs also get the opportunity to connect and personalize their business which encourages organic spread of brand through word-of-mouth and positive reviews. With the rapid rise in restaurants leading to an increase in competition, incubators such as Kitchen Nation serve as the perfect trial-and-error platform for foodpreneurs who are looking to initiate their culinary concept and step into the exciting world of food biz.
Web: www.kitchennation.ae
