River Forest KitchenAPR 17 2020 ![]() Our industry has changed drastically over the past few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of all of the struggle, foodservice businesses have been innovating and rising above to remain open and active during this time. We have been so impressed with our industry as a whole as everyone adapts to this new normal. I recently spoke to Cheryl Munoz, owner of River Forest Kitchen in Forest Park, Illinois about how she has managed to modify her operations to keep her business afloat and support those who use the commercial kitchen space during this time. 1. How has your business changed over the last two months? River Forest Kitchen is a shared commercial kitchen utilized by over a dozen small food businesses. Some of our chefs have lost sales in the restaurant and retail sector and are making up sales by offering Curbside Pick-up and Delivery of their food. For instance, Karl Bader of Karl’s Craft Soups is offering a Wednesday night Soup and Salad meal. The soups are all vegetarian and vegan and customers can add on homemade cookies and bread, as well. The community is grateful to have healthy take out options and Karl is happy to be working and earning an income through this changing economy. As kitchen manager, I promote the sales of our chefs and help organize orders. I also make the cookies and bread! Our building is also home to my cooking school for kids, Sugar Beet Schoolhouse. I am now offering Friday night Pizza Kits for pick-up and delivery as well as Virtual Cooking Classes. Today we are making handmade Farfalle! I love connecting with my students and am receiving wonderful feedback from families about the classes. 2. What has been your biggest challenge? Learning new systems is always hard. I’ve had to devise new systems for food orders and communication with customers. Everyone has been patient and gracious and we are finally feeling confident about our work. Learning curves are steep for everyone now but we’ve overcome many challenges with our customers’ support. 3. Tell us something good that has happened! Even though I’ve worked in the food industry for years I have never been a production cook. I am now making 45 cinnamon rolls loaves in a day for pick-up and 100 balls of pizza dough for pizza kits. I’ve struggled through a bit but now LOVE getting into the kitchen to bake and am feeling super confident with my skills. It’s fun to learn and it’s rewarding to serve great food to my community. When your work feels healing you know you’re doing something good. 4. How can people support you right now? Our chefs are so excited to offer curbside and porch delivery! Sugar Beet Schoolhouse is also offering VIRTUAL COOKING CLASSES! New Rose Catering - Monday and Tuesday porch delivery of family favorites. Karl’s Craft Soup - Wednesday evening Soup Salad and Bread pick-up and delivery. Sugar Beet Schoolhouse - Friday afternoon Pizza Kits, Salads and Cinnamon Roll pick up and delivery. Popify - Artisanal Popsicle porch delivery. Previous Articles...Now Representing IrinoxOCT 20 2023 Culinary Equipment Group is now proudly representing Irinox in Illinois (MAFSI Region 17). With a commitment to excellence and a dedication to quality, Irinox products align perfectly with Culinary Equipment Group's position ... [READ MORE] A new addition to the teamSEP 25 2023 Culinary Equipment Group is excited to announce the addition of Tyler Farmer to their team as a sales support specialist. This is Tyler's first position with a rep, but he is not new to the industry. While earning his Bachelor... [READ MORE] Spring and Summer Price UpdatesMAY 08 2023 Epicurean Price Increase - May 1, 2023 FWE Price Increase - October 1, 2023 (tentative) ... [READ MORE] Price Increase Notices - Winter 2022 - 2023OCT 25 2022 Some of the manufacturers we represent will be having price increases in the coming months. We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available. Cadco - February 1, 2023 Cooper-Atkins - January 1, 2023 Crown... [READ MORE] 2022-2023 Price IncreasesOCT 03 2022 Manufacturer price increase dates are listed below. We will be regularly updating this news page with the latest information. Champion & Bi-Line - effective September 1, 2022 Channel Manufacturing - effective April 8, 2022 Doughxp... [READ MORE] | Get in Touch!Send us a message for more information about any of our products or to schedule a demo in our kitchen. 1775 W Cortland Court, Suite A |