Out of all the restaurants on Main Street, no one would guess that some of the most talented chefs and bakers are secretly using one kitchen to cook up their personal specialities.
Newly opened, A Taste of Long Island, allows local small food business owners to rent their commercial kitchen and sell their goods at their specialty food market that offers everything from wedding cakes to pasta sauces.
Owners of Bobby Tomatoes, Bob and Donna Scala of Deer Park, said they were tired of making the long trek out to Long Island City to another commercial kitchen to create their multi-versatile, sun-dried tomato and parsley spreads.
“We were probably one of the first people to sign up because we knew what a good opportunity it would be,” said Donna. “It was like a dream come true for us actually that they opened up a commercial kitchen for us to use so close to where we live.”
A Taste of Long Island has been especially helpful for up-and-coming culinary artists trying to sell their products, such as retired school teacher and Levittown resident, Bob Spinella, who just started his Italian sauce company, Spinella’s Sauces, in 2011.
“My customers feedback is great. The percentage of people who sample and buy is about 60 to 70 percent, so that’s good,” said Spinella. “I’m trying very high quality sauces. I’m going the other route…hopefully people will taste the difference.”
But working at the kitchen isn’t just for adults, for some business owners include the whole family in the creation process. Westbury natives, Christine and Jim Goldfuss, allow their children, James, 16, and Kerri, 13, to assist them with their cookie company, Christine’s Sweets.
“Although it’s a lot of work when we are at the kitchen, we make sure to have some fun too. It’s been a really good bonding experience,” said Christine.
“We all play different roles at different times to make things work…Whether it is making gift baskets and platters, to working the table at the Farmers Market, we all chip in to get the job done,” said Jim.
Kat Reid, who previously managed the long time staple on Main Street Rocky’s Bakery, is happy to have a local space available to her again in Farmingdale for her new company, Cakes By Kat, creating everything from wedding cakes to edible party favors.
“A Taste of Long Island has opened the door for me to get my products out to the people of Farmingdale. Many of whom I recognize from years ago as customers of Rocky’s,” said Reid.
Reid said the business atmosphere provided by owners of A Taste of Long Island, Courtney and Jim Thompson, makes working at the kitchen a positive experience for all local small food business owners involved.
“[They] have really made all of the vendors at A Taste of Long Island really feel like a team. They are constantly promoting us and looking for ways to help us grow our businesses. Those are the kinds of people you want to work with,” she said.
