Getting Started
The Town of Chester rents the Kitchen only on an hourly basis. The Town will take no responsibility for training in food service safety, nor will it provide any marketing assistance. Each processor must provide proof of insurance to use the kitchen, and to indemnify the town from any liability. All State guidelines regarding food service safety are the responsibility of each processor.
- To get started, email the Site Administrator with your inquiries for a return response: Include your name, phone number, and type of food service business you represent. A visit/tour of the facility is available Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and by appointment. Prior to your visit, please access the Chester Kitchen Policies and Procedures Handbook and Resource Guide, Chester Kitchen Application, as well as the NH License Application for retail food processing or food service establishment (catering). See .pdf files below.
- Then you may contact one of the two State Inspectors for the Chester Kitchen. If you will be processing a specialty food for retail sale, contact Ms. Royann Bossidy, (603) 271-3989. If you are a caterer or food service establishment, contact Ms. Rhonda Thomas, (603) 271-4589. Explain the type of food you wish to produce, and how you process the food (I.e., how it is cooked, packaged, canned, transported, etc.). Ms. Thomas and Ms. Bossidy will be able to tell you if the Chester Kitchen is suitable for your processing, and the type of license for which you should apply. If you are still building your business plan, and are not ready to actually reserve the Chester Kitchen for use, do not apply for your State Food Service License. A license for food service production at the Chester Kitchen implies that you will rent the kitchen for your business use upon receipt of your NH Food Service License.
- After you have spoken to one of the State Inspectors, again contact the Site Administrator via email for EPA number to be included on your application. Check “no” to Town Water or Wastewater. When your application is received by the state, they will contact you for a date and time to meet you for inspection at the Chester Kitchen. You must contact the Site Administrator for an available date and time for your meeting and inspection with the State Inspector for your license processing. This is to ensure that either the Site Administrator, or a Town representative will be available to let you into the kitchen. When that meeting has been concluded, you will again arrange a meeting with the Site Administrator at the Chester Kitchen to exchange documents (license, insurance, application, etc.). At that time, you will be issued a key for use of the Chester Kitchen, and you are ready for use of the facility.
Please be advised that Chester Organizations and residents will have priority usage of the Kitchen, but since they know well in advance of Town events, there should be no problem scheduling the time that you will need.