Chamber’s commercial kitchen planning under way

Lindsy Starkel, Chamber Vice President and Deutschesfest Food Chairman, reported on the status of the community center kitchen upgrade. Starkel has met with a kitchen designer and gone through the facility to get an idea for the most space- and cost-efficient plans.

As reported in last week’s edition of The Record, Starkel’s presentation of a grant request to the Lincoln County Economic Development Council (EDC) has resulted in a matching-funds grant of $10,000 to assist in the project.

Starkel also distributed a list of used equipment obtained from a restaurant that was going out of business. The list included three stainless steel work tables, two microwaves, an ice machine, can opener, shelving, sinks, food warmers, storage bins and hotel pans.

In order to upgrade the kitchen to a commercially viable space, an addition of approximately 400 square feet will be added. It appears that the most efficient way to do this would be to add on to the existing space where the current indoor sausage booth window is located, bumping out to the end of the first garage door opening.

Starkel says that the plan and the project will be implemented in two phases, first to provide a space for Fest food preparation and then to provide a viable commercial kitchen for potential small business use.

Fest updates

Chamber of Commerce treasurer Melissa Schafer presented detailed reports showing income and expenditures for the 2011 Deutschesfest. While all bills for the event have not been received, preliminary results looked promising, with expenditures of $58,607 against income of $81,737. Schafer reported that she has not yet received printing bills for the newspaper supplement, and that there are usually some “surprises” that come in late.

Jeff Sage of Midway Beverage also attended Tuesday’s Chamber meeting. He played a radio ad that had been created by KDRM radio as a part of the promotional package. Several chamber members agreed that the message made them want to go to the event.

He also requested feedback on Midway’s performance at their first Fest. Members agreed that Midway personnel were helpful and easy to work with.