SCOOP heard from Annette Nielsen that Co-founder Bella Karakis fast-tracked the opening – from signing a lease in March 2021 to completing an extensive renovation 10 weeks later. This expansive and gleaming 5,600 square feet of flexible kitchen and culinary workspace has seen food-focused businesses sign on to either rent out the location to create a food product, cook for a catered event, or test a culinary concept. Others have booked this stunning space to shoot a film or host a pop-up culinary event. Karakis is already collaborating with community and non-profit organizations, such as the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, offering internship opportunities to young adults seeking a career in the food industry.
Karakis, an attorney, has a record of success in the food and beverage industry, first as co-founder and CEO of a Washington, DC, Metro-based mobile food operation, and of Chefscape, a commercial kitchen concept with locations in DC and the NYC region. Her Co-founder, Joel Rogozinski, is an experienced entrepreneur and veteran of commercial financing and serves as e.terra’s CFO. They bring together a comprehensive knowledge of food startups, business consulting, and commercial kitchen management.
