Pensacola Cooks Unveils Gather, A Culinary Collective: A New Hub for Local Chefs and Food Lovers
This month, Pensacola Cooks has taken a significant step in fostering culinary creativity and community engagement with the launch of its new sister restaurant, Gather, A Culinary Collective. Located at 41 S. Navy Blvd., in the former space of Ceviche 805, Gather is set to become a vibrant hub for local chefs and food enthusiasts alike.
A Unique Concept: More Than Just a Restaurant
Gather is not your typical dining establishment. It offers a unique blend of services designed to support local restaurateurs and food entrepreneurs. The facility features commissary kitchen space and food truck plug-in stations, allowing chefs to operate without the heavy overhead costs typically associated with starting a restaurant. This innovative approach aims to alleviate the financial pressures that often hinder aspiring culinary talents.
In addition to kitchen space, Gather boasts a shared dining room where chefs can host rotating pop-up breakfast, lunch, and dinner services throughout the week. This dynamic schedule will keep the dining experience fresh and exciting for patrons, who can look forward to a diverse array of culinary offerings. Each week, the lineup of participating chefs will be posted on the Gather website and shared across social media platforms, ensuring that food lovers are always in the loop.
A Flavorful Lineup of Local Vendors
Gather has already attracted a variety of talented vendors, including Luther’s Touch of Heaven, Ethiopian Cuisine By Friends, Sweet Love, Pipasnacks, and Steel Pony Diner. With space available for approximately eight vendors, there is potential for even more culinary talent to join the lineup in the future. Denise Shelton, Gather’s director of operations, emphasizes that the rotating schedule of chefs will keep meals interesting, allowing customers to experience a wide range of flavors and cuisines.
Imagine savoring a Portuguese “Prego” steak sandwich for lunch, followed by Ethiopian lamb ribs for dinner—this is the kind of culinary adventure that Gather promises to deliver.
Supporting Culinary Dreams
One of the core missions of Gather is to serve as an incubator for chefs aspiring to open their own restaurants. Shelton, who has been instrumental in the development of Pensacola Cooks since its inception in 2003, recognized a growing waitlist of chefs eager to participate in the program. This inspired her to create Gather, a space where culinary dreams can flourish without the burden of overwhelming costs.
“I felt obligated in a way to find a second location,” Shelton shared. “I just like to help people, and it’s very fulfilling to see people figure out how they’re going to make their dream a reality without feeling overwhelmed.”
Chef Spotlight: Eric Michael of Steel Pony Diner
Among the ambitious chefs taking advantage of Gather’s resources is Eric Michael, co-owner of Steel Pony Diner. With over 20 years of experience in restaurant and hospitality management, Michael sees the pop-up opportunities at Gather as a crucial stepping stone toward opening his own establishment.
Michael’s culinary offerings reflect his Portuguese heritage, infused with Southern classics. He aims to bring the flavors of his childhood in Massachusetts to Pensacola, crafting dishes from scratch that highlight ingredients like saffron, garlic, and paprika. As he rolls out a lunch menu featuring sandwiches, soups, and salads, Michael is also preparing to introduce a breakfast menu, further diversifying the options available to diners.
Revitalizing the Community
Shelton and her family are committed to revitalizing the Warrington area, where Gather is located. Since the founding of Pensacola Cooks, they have supported around 60 restaurateurs in developing their businesses. “We’ve seen it very, very slowly start to come around,” Shelton noted, reflecting on the positive changes in the community.
In addition to restaurant-style meals, Gather plans to offer “dinners on demand”—take-and-bake homemade meals for customers to enjoy at home. This initiative aims to provide convenience while maintaining a focus on quality, from-scratch cooking.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Gather continues to grow, Shelton envisions hosting more events and allowing customers to choose their caterers for special occasions. The goal is to create a positive impact on both local businesses and community members, providing access to a variety of diverse culinary experiences.
To stay updated on Gather’s offerings and events, patrons can follow the restaurant on social media or visit their website. For those eager to explore the latest in Pensacola’s dining scene, subscribing to the Pensacola Eats newsletter is a great way to receive weekly updates directly in your inbox.
Gather, A Culinary Collective, is poised to become a cornerstone of Pensacola’s culinary landscape, celebrating local talent and bringing the community together through the love of food. Whether you’re a chef looking to launch your dream or a food lover eager to explore new flavors, Gather promises to be a destination worth visiting.