Questions & Answers
Answers to the questions we hear most. Don't see yours? Ask us when you book a tour.
Who can rent the kitchen?
Food businesses that need a permitted commercial kitchen: bakers, caterers, packaged-food makers, specialty producers and food vendors. You need your own permits and insurance before you start.
Do I need my own permit?
Yes. You need the health permit or state registration that covers what you make here. A cottage food registration covers production in a home kitchen only, so moving production to our kitchen usually means a different permit. Our Resource Center explains the options.
What insurance do I need?
General liability and product liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, naming Chico's Cooking Place as additional insured. Monthly-plan renters need an annual or monthly policy. Pay-as-you-go renters can use hourly or daily coverage with a certificate for each booked date. If you have employees, you also need workers' compensation. Our Resource Center lists some places to find coverage.
How much does it cost?
Pay as you go is $27 an hour with a $160 monthly minimum. Monthly plans run from $440 for 20 hours to $1,360 for 80 hours. Ovens, stoves and the kettle are $15 an hour extra. Storage starts at $25 a shelf. See Rates for the full list and an estimate.
Is there a deposit or setup fee?
Yes. The deposit is $500 for pay as you go, one month's plan for monthly plans, or one month's storage for storage only. There's also a one-time $25 setup and onboarding fee.
How do I pay?
Everything is charged automatically to the bank account or card in your renter account. Bank transfer has no added fee; credit cards carry a 2% card fee.
How do I book time?
Online, through your renter account, up to 60 days ahead. Bookings are at least 2 hours, including setup and cleanup. Monthly-plan renters can hold standing weekly times.
Can I work early mornings, evenings or weekends?
Yes. The kitchen can be booked outside regular hours, and your keyless entry works for your booked times.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel free up to 48 hours before your booking. Later cancellations and no-shows are charged.
What equipment is available?
Two double-rack ovens, two six-burner stoves under a hood, a 10-gallon steam kettle, a mixing room with two 60-quart and one 20-quart Hobart mixers, prep rooms, a dishwashing area, walk-in freezer and refrigerator, and climate-controlled and roll-up storage. You can use any equipment you've been trained on in your onboarding session.
What do I need to bring?
Your own tools, utensils, pans, small equipment, ingredients, packaging, parchment and other supplies. We provide sanitizer, bleach, dish soap, hand soap, paper towels, spray bottles, mops, scrub brushes and the large equipment.
Can I just rent storage?
Yes. Storage-only renters pay the monthly storage rate, and quick storage visits of 15 minutes or less aren't billed as kitchen time.
Can my employees work here?
Yes. Everyone who works with you is listed in your account, completes onboarding, gets their own entry code, and must be 18 or older. You'll need workers' compensation insurance if you have employees.
Can I make allergen-free products here?
No. This is a shared kitchen that handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy and sesame, so products made here can't be labeled allergen-free.
Do you serve food trucks and carts?
Yes. Butte County allows food trucks, carts and caterers to use our kitchen, and we can sign your county commissary form once your account is approved. We offer prep space, potable water, dishwashing and cold storage. Wastewater and grease disposal are not available on site, so you'll need to dispose of those elsewhere.
What happens if equipment breaks during my booking?
Report it right away. If booked equipment is out of service, you can rebook that time or receive a credit for those hours.
How do I sign the agreement?
Electronically. Once your documents are approved, we email you your agreement to sign on your phone or computer. You can read the terms first on our Contracts page.
How long does it take to get started?
You can be cooking within about two weeks of your tour.
How do I stop renting?
Monthly plans can be ended with 30 days' written notice. Pay as you go can be ended anytime.