Getting Started in the Syracuse Community Test Kitchen

1. Applications are available on this website or at the Test Kitchen. Please fill out the application completely and return to Lynne Foster:

Email: lcfoster@syr.edu
Fax to 315-443-8636
Regular Mail or drop it off to:
Lynne Foster
SSIC
2610 South Salina Street
Syracuse, New York 13205

2. Interview/ Product Evaluation: Applicants will be interviewed and evaluated based on criteria designed to identify appropriateness for commercial product development at COMTEK.

• Applicants will be asked to bring in a small sample of their product
• General product review will be conducted based on potential commercialization requirements and equipment/ingredients needed
• The amount of development time in the kitchen will be determined and whether the product can be developed within the scope of the basic fees associated with working in the kitchen.
• Enthusiasm and overall knowledge of the product will be considered

3. Working in the Kitchen: Once a client is accepted into the COMTEK program, a Confidentiality Agreement will be signed by Syracuse University and/or Nelson Farms, as may be appropriate. This will ensure the client that their recipes will be kept confidential and will not be reproduced in any way. The client will be required to take specified educational workshops or classes that may be appropriate for the level of entrepreneurial experience, and which will prepare them for food entrepreneurship success. Courses are listed at the ComTek website, and include topics on Food Safety and the Marketing of Specialty Food Products.

4. Fees
Standard fee is $100.00 for two 5-hour sessions of development time and $25.00 per day for any additional sessions. Each session is no longer than 5 hours, during which time the applicant/client will work alongside Chef Lynne Foster. If a product is unusually complex, this may increase the basic fee.