The Commissary Presents: Taste & See, A 5th Anniversary Celebration!
Join us for Taste & See: a milestone fundraising event for The Commissary, commemorating five incredible years of empowering food and beverage entrepreneurs at Rochester’s first shared commercial kitchen and food business incubator.
On Friday, October 10th from 6–9 p.m., attendees are invited to celebrate and support the future of Rochester’s food and beverage industry as they meet 20+ local start-up entrepreneurs, experience a wide variety of their delicious culinary creations, tour the kitchen, experience live demos, sip libations and hear from renowned NYC chef and restaurateur, Melba Wilson, owner of Melba’s Restaurant.
General Admission includes:
20+ delicious food and beverage tastings from local entrepreneurs
2 drink tickets (NA options available)
Commissary goodie bag, featuring items made by our members!
VIP Admission includes everything above, plus:
Private pre-event reception with our featured speaker (5:15 pm - 6:00 pm)
Opportunity to receive autographed copy of Melba's American Comfort cookbook
Additional bites & beverages prepared by our members
Participating food & bev businesses TBA!
Meet our Featured Speaker, Chef Melba Wilson!
Melba Wilson is a true Harlem native, embodying the essence of New York as one of the most successful African American women in the restaurant and catering industries. Her remarkable achievements and stellar reputation have made Melba's Restaurant a beloved New York landmark, frequented by a diverse array of patrons, including music, TV, and movie stars like Zendaya, Katy Perry, Prince Harry, Tom Holland, Michael Strahan, A$AP Rocky, Sherri Shepherd, D-Nice, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and more, as well as locals and travelers from around the globe.
Melba's journey towards success began early, showcasing her keen eye and insightful nature. Her introduction to the restaurant business at Harlem's iconic Sylvia's Restaurant paved the way for her innovative ideas, such as the popular Sunday Gospel Brunch, which garnered widespread acclaim within the industry.
Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Melba has received numerous awards and honors, underscoring her significant impact on the hospitality industry and beyond!
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Sponsorships and in-kind donations for Taste & See are still being accepted. By supporting The Commissary, donors and sponsors help reduce startup barriers and provide critical resources, such as access to fully-equipped kitchen stations and business development services. Since its inception, 120+ start-up food businesses have called The Commissary home, and we look forward to assisting many more with your support. Email denise@rochestercommissary.org for details!