In front of a standing-room-only crowd, Fishers Test Kitchen leaders announced the three food concepts led by chef-entrepreneurs selected through a competitive application process. The three concepts were announced Wednesday night, marking a milestone in the development of the first restaurant accelerator in Indiana.
The three concepts are led by:
- Chef Leisha Berg, West Coast Nook
- Chef Jung Gyu Kim, “John,” and his brother Chef Jung Min Kim, “Kim”, Korave Korean BBQ
- Chef Carlos Salazar, Lil Dumplings
The City of Fishers and Launch Fishers developed the restaurant accelerator to serve what is anticipated to be thousands of guests a year when it opens its doors this fall inside Sun King Fishers Innovation Brewery at The Yard at Fishers District.
“When we created the concept for the Fishers Test Kitchen a few years ago, it was a call to action in response to one of the most common comments I receive from residents: where can we find local, quality chef-inspired food experiences in Fishers,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “The Yard at Fishers District will be that destination for Fishers residents in the coming months, and we can take pride in growing our own culinary talent as part of the Fishers Test Kitchen.”
The Fishers Test Kitchen released a call for applications from chef-entrepreneurs this spring to identify food concepts for the three restaurant bays located inside the Sun King Fishers Innovation Brewery building. Applications for the Fishers Test Kitchen were accepted over the summer, and finalists were asked to prepare items for taste testing.
The items were tasted by a selection committee comprised of Fadness; co-founder and head brewer of Sun King Brewing, Dave Colt; Launch Fishers founder, John Wechsler; and local food writer, Jolene Ketzenberger.
Along with the taste testing, the selection committee evaluated each chef on their concept, proposed menu, restaurant experience, and how their concept would fit within a beer hall.
“Entrepreneurship and innovation skills translate across all industries,” remarked Wechsler. “We are excited to introduce the same principles we have seen to be successful in the Fishers tech community to these promising culinary startups.”
Launch Fishers will provide the chefs with business coaching and startup assistance.
“We selected what we believe are some of the best up and coming chefs in the area for this new venture,” said Ketzenberger. “This cohort is energetic, and we’re excited to provide a soft launch pad for these chefs to test out new concepts to prepare them for the next step in restaurant ownership.”
“We are excited about the Fishers Test Kitchen because it gives our guests access to a rotating variety of new restaurant offerings, all while helping bolster the spirit of entrepreneurship in Fishers,” said Clay Robinson, co-founder and owner of Sun King Brewery.
Click here to learn more about the Fishers Test Kitchen Chefs and their restaurant concepts.