With the inevitable rise of pop-ups, food trucks, and start-up restaurants, foodies are flocking to San Francisco and crave a public space, safe to experiment and learn more about food. 

How can aspiring chefs find a place with proper cooking space when San Francisco kitchens are so lacking? Victorian apartments have low-power stoves, landlords rent out dining rooms as bedrooms, and in-laws provide hot plates instead of ranges ovens.

Iso Rabins of Forage SF recognized the community’s demand for a collaborative cocina, so he’s Kickstarting to build it. His project, Forage Kitchen, is a shared space for home and professional cooks alike to gain the freedom to grow, collaborate, share, and cook. Forage Kitchen plans to have a rooftop garden, stacked kitchen, business space, and cooking classes – the whole enchilada. 

But like all good things, there comes a cost. The Forage Kitchen needs financial help to get started. A reason to donate to the Forage Kitchen fund? Prizes are involved! Pledge $100 and you gain instant access to this kitchen with stocked cupboards. And at the Forage Kitchen Date Auction this Thursday, you can bid on prizes like an abalone diving and spear fishing date with Iso, a homecooked dinner date with Graf Eats' Blare Warsham, or brunch with Leo Beckerman of Wise Sons Deli. 

The Forage Kitchen Kickstart timer will ding in 17 days and I hope the project gets the green light, especially if it means I'll have a space to take up butchering.

Sink your teeth into the idea: