Empowering the Next Generation of Food Entrepreneurs
A Matter of Taste Kitchen is a brand-new shared commercial kitchen created to help food entrepreneurs bring their dreams to the table. Hosted by the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship at Bradley University, our kitchen is more than a place to cook — it’s a launchpad for culinary success.
Please note the facility is available for showing, but is not yet available for use until the required licenses have been issued.
Whether you’re a caterer, food truck owner, baker, or packaged food producer, our fully licensed commercial kitchen offers:
- Hourly kitchen rental at affordable rates
- Dry, cold, and frozen storage options
- Online scheduling and management through The Food Corridor
- 24/7 access
- Access to professional-grade kitchen equipment including a grill, range/oven, convection oven and the only Tandoor Oven in a shared kitchen in the Midwest!
But we go beyond space. Our clients receive no-cost business advising and access to resources to help scale their business, all provided by the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship.
The Turner Center, named the 2023 Illinois SBDC Center of the Year, has a long history of helping businesses succeed. We’re proud to carry that tradition into the culinary world with this innovative initiative.
Consumer demand for local, unique, and healthy food has never been higher. Farmers markets are growing, and customers are craving distinctive flavors and stories behind the food. A Matter of Taste Kitchen is designed to meet that demand by giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed, without the overhead of launching a traditional restaurant or facility.
Located in the heart of Peoria Heights, we are honored to preserve the legacy of A Matter of Taste while building a vibrant, inclusive space for food makers. From local festivals to pickup windows and pop-up events, this kitchen is a community hub.
We offer four types of memberships to fit your culinary needs. All membership levels include access to the kitchen equipment: grill, range/oven, convection oven Tandoor Oven
- Standard Rate (no minimum number of hours): $50 / hour for access to the kitchen and one prep table.
- Warm (50% off standard rate): 10 hours / month at $25 / hour
- Medium Heat (60% off standard rate): 20 hours / month at $20 / hour
- Rapid Boil (70% off standard rate): 40 hours / month at $15 / hour
The kitchen is large enough for three prep tables. The above membership levels provide access to one prep table. Another member may be using the second prep table at the same time. There is a third prep table available on a first-come, first-use basis. A member may choose to have private use of the entire kitchen by reserving both prep tables at a cost equal to two-times the above rates. However, a credit of 25% will be received when using the kitchen on a private basis. That results in the following per hour rates for each member level:
- Standard Rate: $75 / hour
- Warm Rate: $37.50 / hour
- Medium Heat Rate: $30 / hour
- Rapid Boil Rate: $22.50 / hour
In a specific month members may use a combination of shared kitchen use or private.
Off-Peak Rates: The kitchen is also available at off-peak times for an additional discount. Off peak times are Sunday to Saturday, 9pm to 6am.
There is a $25 application fee, a $200 refundable deposit and a $150 in-person onboarding/training fee (one-time only). Explore our membership options, see the kitchen space, or schedule a tour today.