Hands On Hartford Honored for Community Impact in National Golden Whisk Awards
Winners to Be Announced November 12 at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Hartford, CT – October 21, 2025 — Hands On Hartford’s Shared Kitchen has been named a finalist for the Community Impact Award for the second annual Golden Whisk Awards, the only national celebration of shared kitchen innovation and leadership, hosted by The Food Corridor.
This award honors a shared kitchen or individual that has made a profound and positive difference in their community—whether through educational programs, local partnerships, charitable initiatives, or efforts to fight food insecurity. Finalists in this category use their kitchens as a force for good, driving meaningful change and building stronger, more inclusive food ecosystems.
“Since 1969, Hands On Hartford has been dedicated to strengthening Hartford’s community. Launched in 2017, our Shared Kitchen program provides affordable commercial kitchen space, business coaching, and entrepreneurial support to help food startups grow and thrive. More than just a kitchen, the program has helped launch dozens of local businesses whose products can now be found in stores, farmers markets, and brick and mortar establishments across the region. We are proud to support our members’ journeys and celebrate their success as part of Central Connecticut/Greater Hartford’s vibrant food economy,” said Molly Reynolds, Shared Kitchen Manager, Hands On Harford.
The winners will be announced live on November 12, 2025, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, at the conclusion of the The Shared Kitchen Summit, where shared kitchen operators from across the country will gather to celebrate excellence in community building, mentorship, operational excellence, and innovation. Other award categories include Community Impact Award, Shared Kitchen Mentor of the Year, Shared Kitchen Industry Champion, Kitchen Incubator of the Year, and Shared Kitchen of the Year.
About Hands On Hartford’s Shared Kitchen
Hands On Hartford’s Shared Kitchen, located at 55 Bartholomew Avenue in Hartford, is a licensed commercial kitchen offering affordable, flexible access to culinary entrepreneurs, food startups, caterers, and small-scale food producers. With 24/7 availability, modern commercial-grade equipment, and options for cold, dry, and freezer storage, members can rent kitchen space by the hour after paying an annual membership fee. The program currently supports dozens of local food businesses—especially those owned by women, people of color, and Hartford residents—through access to production space, storage, and business development support. In 2024, 67 members used the kitchen for a total of 1,228 hours. Proceeds from the program help fund Hands On Hartford’s broader mission to address food insecurity and housing instability in the community.
Hands On Hartford Media Contact:
Donna Colliton, Director of Partnerships & Support
dcolliton@handsonhartford.org
860-706-1538
handsonhartford.org
Shared Kitchen Summit Media Contact:
Tyler Sangermano
tyler@thefoodcorridor.com
630-276-6098
sharedkitchensummit.com