James City County is pleased to announce that Virginia Gourmet is now offering its commercial kitchen for rent at an hourly rate and contract packaging services for those who need their food product approved for commercial production, cooked, packaged, labeled and shipped. The commercial kitchen is approximately 600 square feet and offers traditional kitchen equipment including a six-burner stove and oven, as well as larger equipment including a 20-liter stand mixer, a commercial filling machine, a dual convection oven, a proofing oven and two 40-gallon kettles.
The kitchen is certified by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and is inspected and certified by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Our goal is to help like-minded, honest and hardworking people make their dream of being their own boss a reality. We see such a need for commercial kitchen space that can be used by local entrepreneurs who want to get started in the food and beverage industry whether it’s creating barbeque sauces to sell or crafting baked goods for events. We believe local and natural products are the best products and are happy to help our local community by offering the Virginia Gourmet kitchen for rent along with our contract packaging services,” said co-owner Michael D’Alessandro.
Virginia Gourmet will be offering a 10% discount on Wednesday, Aug. 1 on all products excluding alcohol.
Additionally, Virginia Gourmet recently received a Coastal Virginia Magazine Best of Readers’ Choice Award for “Best Specialty Food Market” Overall Gold Winner. The Coastal Virginia Magazine Best of Readers’ Choice Awards are presented annually and are voted for online by the general public.
Since summer 2017, Virginia Gourmet has been owned by D'Alessandro and Jeff Gouger. Virginia Gourmet originally opened its retail location in 2011. The commercial kitchen is adjacent to the retail store. Virginia Gourmet offers a variety of Virginia’s Finest products, local products and ingredients as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Additionally, Virginia Gourmet has a gourmet coffee café at their location and they sell products at a variety of local farmer’s markets.
For more information, visit their website or Facebook page, or call 757-645-2970.
Media Contact:
Amy Jordan, Director of Economic Development
757-253-6607; amy.jordan@jamescitycountyva.gov