One of the major pieces of the 10C puzzle is ready to open.
The shared-space and social change facilitator on Carden Street will finally be able to open the commercial kitchen on its fourth floor that has been part of their plans all along.
An official opening of the space, which has been branded as 'NOURISH by 10C, a kitchen that helps,' is planned for Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
"It's been a long haul, for sure, but it's a really exciting time," said 10C executive director Julia Grady.
"There's so much opportunity in Guelph around food and agriculture and new ideas in the circular food economy. This will give individuals a way to think of what's possible."
While the kitchen will be open to bookings and rentals by the community at large, those rentals, and programming that will be offered in it through 10C, will be in line with 10C's focus on improving well-being, reducing food insecurity and increasing connection, said Grady.
"The programming we're wanting to do will be more broad-based community programming," Grady said.
"One of the pieces would be around low waste meal prep and more fun ways to build community using food .... There will also be an open kind of lunch club" for the groups that call 10C home," she added.
Entrepreneurs will also be able to rent the kitchen and it can be used to cater events that are happening in the building.
A part-time kitchen coordinator will be hired shortly.
An Ontario Trillium Foundation covered a big part of the cost, fundraising was done and some new stainless steel restaurant-quality appliances bought and used and other appliances were donated. Artisinale restaurant donated the gas stoves.
There is also a wide range of small appliances.
"Everything costs more than we would have imagined," Grady said. "But it's going to be so great having people in here by the end of the year making food."
More information and rental costs of the kitchen can be found on the NOURISH web site.
