Thinking of Starting a Food Business? Discover Eldstæðið: A Shared Commercial Kitchen for Food Entrepreneurs
If you're a food enthusiast with big dreams but are held back by the high costs of starting your own food business, look no further than Eldstæðið. This commercial kitchen, rooted in the sharing economy concept, is designed to help food entrepreneurs and small producers get their ideas off the ground without the financial hurdles that typically come with starting from scratch.
Simply put, Eldstæðið is a certified, fully equipped shared kitchen located in the heart of Kópavogur, at Nýbýlavegur 8. The name "Eldstæðið," which means "fireplace," pays homage to the old turf farms in Iceland, where the fireplace was central to daily life. Like those communal hearths, Eldstæðið fosters collaboration and community among its users.
Founded by food entrepreneur Eva Michelsen, Eldstæðið grew out of her own need for an affordable and functional production space. After successfully running the Nordic Kitchen Workshop in Reykjavík, Helsinki, and Stockholm in 2018, Eva officially opened Eldstæðið in September 2020. Since then, it has attracted a diverse community of about 40 producers, providing them with a cost-effective solution for launching and growing their food businesses.
Why Choose a Shared Kitchen?
Starting a food production business comes with numerous costs and risks. Eldstæðið offers a practical way to reduce these burdens. Here are a few reasons why a shared kitchen makes sense for budding food entrepreneurs:
Lower operating costs: You can produce at a fraction of the cost by sharing resources with others.
Little or no upfront investment: Forget about buying expensive equipment—Eldstæðið has everything you need.
Short-term commitment: You’re not locked into long leases or contracts, giving you the flexibility to scale as you grow.
Community and networking: Eldstæðið is more than just a kitchen—it's a hub for food lovers. Here, you can meet fellow producers, exchange ideas, and form collaborations.
All-in-one facility: With cold and dry storage, office space, meeting rooms, and even tasting rooms, Eldstæðið covers all aspects of your production needs.
A Diverse Community of Entrepreneurs
What truly sets Eldstæðið apart is the community it has built. Around 40% of the users are from different countries, and the gender split is close to 50/50—something the team is particularly proud of. This diversity brings fresh ideas and inspiration to the kitchen, creating a rich, vibrant environment for food innovation.
Why Choose Eldstæðið Over Producing at Home?
Producing food from home might seem appealing, but it's often more complicated and costly than you think. Home production comes with challenges such as:
High initial setup costs (equipment, safety, and pest control)
The burden of maintaining and upgrading tools
Navigating complex safety and fire regulations
Managing utilities like heating and electricity
Space limitations and storage concerns
At Eldstæðið, all these worries are taken care of. The kitchen is already set up with professional-grade equipment and storage, so you can focus on what you do best—creating delicious products.
Additional Support for Entrepreneurs
Eldstæðið doesn’t stop at providing kitchen space. The team has gathered a network of service providers who can help with business consulting, accounting, marketing, and compliance. Whether you need advice on ingredient descriptions, product labeling, or quality control, Eldstæðið has the experts to support you.
Flexibility and Accessibility
With three separate workstations, up to three producers can work simultaneously in Eldstæðið. This flexibility allows you to schedule production times that fit your business needs. And with affordable storage options (both cold and dry), along with meeting rooms for tastings or events, you have everything you need to grow your brand.
Ready to Get Cooking?
Whether you’re taking your first steps in food production or already have a small-scale business, Eldstæðið offers the space, resources, and community you need to thrive. Reach out to them at info@eldstaedid.is to find out how Eldstæðið can help make your culinary dreams a reality.
Food production doesn’t have to be an isolated, expensive venture—join the Eldstæðið family and start cooking up success today!
You will find more information at Eldstæðið website, Facebook, and Instagram.