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UID:tenant-892-event-37964@chamberhive.com
DTSTAMP:20260721T185437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260721T185437Z
DTSTART:20250602T190000Z
SUMMARY:A Matter of Taste Ribbon cutting
LOCATION:A Matter of Taste Kitchen\, 1201 E. Kingman Ave.\, Peoria Heights\
 , IL
DESCRIPTION:Cost: Free The historic Pump House in Peoria Heights is getting
  a flavorful new purpose. The community and members of the media are invit
 ed to celebrate the grand opening of A Matter of Taste Kitchen on Monday\,
  June 2 at 2 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the former Pump House 
 location\, on Kingman Avenue across from Tower Park. A public open house w
 ill follow from 3-6 p.m. This reimagined space\, now a shared commercial k
 itchen and business incubator\, is the result of a unique partnership betw
 een Bradley University’s Turner Center for Entrepreneurship and the Vill
 age of Peoria Heights. The kitchen will provide local food entrepreneurs w
 ith access to a licensed commercial kitchen\, storage\, and event space to
  test and refine their food business ideas. Named in honor of Connie Randa
 ll\, owner of A Matter of Taste Catering and a longtime business leader in
  Peoria Heights\, the new kitchen aims to continue her legacy by mentoring
  new culinary talent. Randall’s catering company is the longest-running 
 woman-owned catering business in central Illinois. Entrepreneurs using the
  kitchen will benefit from hands-on mentorship\, while avoiding the financ
 ial burdens that often limit success in the food industry\, one of the mos
 t challenging sectors for startups. “We’re incredibly grateful to the 
 Village of Peoria Heights for their vision and partnership in making this 
 kitchen a reality. Starting a food business is never easy. There are a lot
  of upfront costs and risks that can stop great ideas before they even get
  off the ground\,” said Jim Foley\, director of the Turner Center for En
 trepreneurship. “This space gives aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to t
 ake those first steps in a supportive environment\, without the overwhelmi
 ng financial burden that so often comes with launching a business.” “I
  think this is one of those uniquely win-win situations for both the Villa
 ge and Bradley\,” said Peoria Heights Mayor Matt Wigginton. “In A Matt
 er of Taste Kitchen\, we get a tenant and a pragmatic use for a beautiful\
 , historic building. Bradley gets something that fits well into its missio
 n – a training base and springboard for aspiring culinary entrepreneurs 
 in the heart of the Peoria area’s restaurant row. And this part of centr
 al Illinois gets something it really hasn’t had to this extent: a food i
 ndustry incubator that keeps budding talent local and provides a space for
  them to hone their skills. “Meanwhile\, we hope this program contribute
 s to and strengthens one of the Heights’ core industries\, while reinfor
 cing our reputation as a culinary destination. We are excited and optimist
 ic about this very promising partnership.” ‍\n\nhttps://chamber.peoria
 heightschamber.com/events/37964
URL:https://chamber.peoriaheightschamber.com/events/37964
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