Clovis Culinary Center: A Launchpad for Culinary Dreams in the Central Valley

Nestled in the heart of Clovis at Ashlan and Willow avenues, the Clovis Culinary Center (CCC) has become a bustling hub for culinary entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 2018, CCC has supported more than 300 start-up food businesses, and 2024 was a banner year for this certified commercial kitchen.

A Record-Breaking Year

In 2024, the CCC witnessed remarkable growth:

92 active users utilized the kitchen’s facilities.
The center saw a 480% increase in catering and a 340% rise in baked goods sales.
Users clocked a whopping 9,024 hours in the kitchen—a testament to the thriving culinary activity within its walls.
The CCC played a pivotal role in the creation of 85 full-time jobs and 25 seasonal jobs, demonstrating its impact on the local economy.

Mike Osegueda, Board President of CCC, proudly shared these milestones, reflecting on how the center continues to bolster the Central Valley’s economy while empowering entrepreneurs.

“The Clovis Culinary Center is proud of all the work its users put into their businesses in 2024 and is looking forward to more opportunity, more new businesses and more delicious things to eat in 2025. Anybody looking to start or grow their small food business should consider our kitchen.” – Mike Osegueda

Empowering Entrepreneurs

The CCC isn’t just a kitchen; it’s a launchpad for dreams. With a focus on inclusivity and economic development, the center has achieved:

Starting 34 new businesses in 2024 alone.
Transitioning 26 home-based food businesses into professional setups.
Helping five entrepreneurs open their own restaurants.

Notably, CCC serves a diverse community of entrepreneurs:

62% of businesses are run by women.
68% are minority-owned.
37% represent very-low to moderate-income individuals.

A Diverse Culinary Community

The CCC fosters an array of food ventures:

58.9% are specialty food producers.
20.5% are caterers.
8.8% focus on value-added food production.
5.9% are bakers.
5.9% are private chefs.

Each of these ventures contributes to the unique and growing culinary landscape of the Central Valley.

Community and Support

Supported by the City of Clovis, federal grants, and private donations, CCC offers more than just a workspace. The center provides grants for qualified veterans and economically challenged residents, ensuring that access to entrepreneurship is open to all.

As the Clovis Culinary Center continues to expand, it solidifies its role as a vital resource for local food businesses, creating opportunities for growth, job creation, and economic impact.

A Look Ahead

With its impressive 2024 achievements, the CCC is poised to keep transforming lives and contributing to the vibrant culinary culture of the Central Valley. Whether you’re dreaming of starting a catering business, opening a bakery, or scaling up your home-based food operation, the CCC is here to turn your vision into reality.

If you’re interested in learning more or supporting this incredible initiative, visit the Clovis Culinary Center and witness the power of community and innovation firsthand.

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Jason Farris

Head YES man at FresYes.com

I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES