Chef’s Timeshare Kitchens

How can I contact someone at Open Kitchen regarding the Chef’s Timeshare Kitchens?
Email is the best way to contact us.  We can be reached at CTK@openkitchen-dcmetro.com or by phone at 703-334-1504

Where will your Chef’s Timeshare Kitchens be located?
Based on overwhelming feedback from caterers, personal chefs, and food producers who have responded to our needs assessment survey, we are located at the West Metro Plaza in Falls Church, VA.

When will you be open?
Our Chef’s Timeshare Kitchens opened September 2009.

How many kitchens are available for use and are they fully permitted by the Health Department?
We have 2 private Chef’s Timeshare Kitchens “Tuscany Kitchen” and “Santa Fe Kitchen”; each will be commercially equipped, permitted by the Fairfax County Health Department (that regulates catering and other food service establishments that prepare, serve, or provide food for consumption directly to the public) and inspected by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (that regulates state-wide establishments where food is produced, packaged, and offered for retail sale such as baked goods, jams and jellies).

What types of food products can I make out of your kitchens for sale to the public?
A diverse array of ready-to-eat food products can be made in our kitchens, for example, specialized sauces, soups, jams and jellies, salsa, hand-blended teas, sushi, tamales, fresh pastas, wedding cakes and other baked goods, and candy.

What are your rates?
The hourly rate for either the Tuscany Kitchen or the Santa Fe Kitchen is $110 per hour.

What are the requirements to reserving your kitchen?
You will need to fulfill the requirements as outlined in the Getting Your Business Cooking prior to reserving kitchen time.
Some of these requirements are not specific to using Open Kitchen – these are items you need to operate your food business to be in compliance with most County and State Health Regulations.  Open Kitchen can help you with this process.

I have to sign a long term agreement to reserve your kitchen?  Do I have to commit to using your kitchen a certain amount of hours per day/week/month?
No.  This is the unique flexibility of the Open Kitchen business concept.  Once you meet all of the requirements, you will be able to reserve and purchase kitchen time by the hour with a minimum of 3consecutive hours, however, we believe that most kitchen uses would need all of this time, if not more.  Purchased kitchen time can be reserved on-line via our website or call our Operations Manager, Linda Skiles, at 703-334-1504, to reserve time.
All reservations for kitchen time is on a first come, first serve basis.  Thus, we would encourage you to reserve time as soon as you know you will need to use our kitchen.

Do I have to share kitchen space with other people?
No, the amount of time that you reserve for the kitchen will be for your sole use.

What equipment will be available with the kitchen reservation?
Open Kitchen has designed two kitchens, the Tuscany Kitchen and the Santa Fe Kitchen for your use.

Santa Fe Kitchen - K2

The “Santa Fe Kitchen” maintains a more generalized floor plan allowing for flexibility of the client’s needs. Designed for the caterer, personal chef or artisanal food producer, this 272 sq ft kitchen is equipped to handle all your culinary needs. In addition to the list of equipment shown below there is a, 119 sq ft, shared dishing washing bay available for your use. (*)Shared items. All smallwares should be provided by the client

Tuscany Kitchen - K3

The “Tuscany Kitchen” is designed with the baker in mind. This 272 sq ft kitchen is ideal for all your baking needs, from Apple Strudels to Zuchinni Cheese Scones. In addition to the list of equipment shown below there is a, 119 sq ft, shared dishing washing bay available for your use. (*)Shared Items All smallwares should be provided by the client.

What other types of assistance can Open Kitchen provide to help my business needs?

There are a number of ways that we can assist your business, here are some examples:

• Help steer you to the right people to talk to at the Fairfax County Health Department for information regarding licensing your food business.
• Refer you to business resources such as liability insurance broker, website designer, accountant, business attorney.
• Provide you with kitchen as well as event staffing services.
• Help you market your business.

Open Kitchen’s Culinary Team is dedicated to helping you make your dream come true.

I know someone who can absolutely benefit from your kitchen facility.  How do I refer this person to you?
Simply have this person contact our Operations Manager, Linda Skiles, at CTK@openkitchen-dcmetro.com, for more information. Or, refer this person to our website:  www.openkitchen-dcmetro.com.