BRAMPTON — The City of Brampton has officially launched its first-ever public health-certified commercial kitchen, marking a major step forward in supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the city’s growing food sector.
Located in downtown Brampton at the Brampton Entrepreneur Centre, the new Brampton Commercial Kitchen offers more than 1,200 square feet of fully equipped, flexible workspace designed to help chefs, bakers, caterers and food startups move from concept to commercialization.
The facility is one of the only municipally supported shared kitchens of its kind in Ontario and aims to remove long-standing barriers for food entrepreneurs who often struggle with access to certified production spaces.
Mayor Patrick Brown called the initiative a “major milestone” for the city, emphasizing its role in driving economic growth, innovation and job creation.
“This new facility removes barriers, supports local talent and creates new pathways for businesses to grow right here in Brampton,” Brown said.
The kitchen includes commercial-grade equipment such as industrial ovens, fryers, mixers, refrigeration units, packaging stations and storage areas, allowing entrepreneurs to operate in a professional, compliant environment without the high startup costs of building their own facility.
The project is being operated in partnership with Grey Matlock Bakery, which will manage daily operations, staffing and bookings while ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
The initiative received partial funding from FedDev Ontario through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, reflecting collaboration between municipal and federal governments to support small businesses and downtown revitalization.
Brampton’s food and beverage sector is already a significant economic driver, contributing $1.3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and employing approximately 8,500 people across 300 companies. The new kitchen is expected to further strengthen this ecosystem by helping small businesses scale and innovate.
Regional Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor highlighted the broader impact, noting the kitchen will “nurture local talent, attract investment and reinforce Brampton’s reputation as a destination for food entrepreneurship.”
The city will host a public grand opening celebration on March 30, inviting residents and entrepreneurs to tour the facility and learn about available programs, including training through Foodpreneur Advantage.
Local entrepreneur Denise Edwards, founder of Tropix Coconut Drops, described the facility as a “game-changer,” recalling how access to a certified kitchen helped her grow from a farmers’ market vendor to an international business.
With this launch, Brampton is positioning itself as a hub for culinary innovation — providing local entrepreneurs with the tools, space and support needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses.