Growing a Meal Prep Business at Local First Arizona’s Community Kitchen
One of Chef Cicconi’s creations: Wok tossed sweet potato noodles with grilled steak, peppers, fresh carrots and cilantro.
Mike Cicconi is a chef with over 16 years of experience in the Arizona restaurant industry. Up until recently, Mike envisioned his career heading toward a food truck, a fine-dining pasta restaurant, or a low-key brunch concept. However, when the pandemic rocked the restaurant industry, Mike was confronted with how to push forward as a chef. What was born was a meal prep concept called Garden of Eat’n, and he hasn’t looked back!
Chef Cicconi and the team behind Garden of Eat’n!
As a new food entrepreneur, Chef Cicconi is using Local First Arizona’s Community Kitchen in Mesa as a springboard to grow his business and serve his community. Garden of Eat’n is bringing a refreshing new viewpoint to the scene. Meal prep has allowed him to stay interested and passionate in an industry notorious for burn-out and repetition. “By creating new menus every week, I am able to have a fresh perspective on food and keep learning as well,” he explained. “Also helping my clients experience from-scratch recipes that are visually appealing, nutritious, and come with complete convenience has been great.”
The Local First Community Kitchen and the Restaurant Start-Up Boot Camp have been crucial to the growth of his business. “It has been an amazing opportunity at the Local First Community Kitchen,” Chef Cicconi said. “We now have the opportunity to expand, build, and grow. With the equipment and space already in place, we are able to hire and cook for more people!”
He added: “Connecting with Local First has been a pivotal step forward for our business. They have illuminated the steps needed to further our business through the Boot Camp and the comprehensive knowledge and information that is provided.”
Chef Cicconi and the Garden of Eat’n team are working on a website, but in the meantime, you can connect with them directly through their Instagram account where his team will schedule a one-on-one, personal consultation to learn about your needs and purpose for meal prep, allergies, preferences, and more.