Cocina 66: Expanding the Kitchen 66 Launch Program
Starting in 2021, Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation collaborated with community leader Elian Hurtado with UMA Tulsa, and our own program, Kitchen 66, to create Cocina 66. The program is a translated Spanish version of the Kitchen 66 Launch Program, which has been helping food entrepreneurs in Tulsa launch their concepts since 2016. Participants of the Cocina 66 program learn skills ranging from marketing and public relations to securing business financing and permits. Additionally, participants are granted access to commercial kitchen space and sales opportunities inside Mother Road Market.
Fall 2021 Cocina 66 Class
After seeing a positive response from the first class, Cocina 66 will become regular program of Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation.
"I am beyond grateful to be the connector between this amazing kitchen incubator program from Kitchen 66 and my community,” said Elian Hurtado.
“The Latinex community are entrepreneurs by nature, we have it in our DNA. But programs like this one help our community to take their businesses to another level! The success of the graduates exceeded my expectations and has inspired me to keep working on this initiative".
Testimonials from Cocina 66 Participants
“Buenos días a todas! Hablo sólo para decirles que estoy tan feliz de este logro que hemos tenido que me encantó aprender al lado de cada uno de ustedes. La graduación fue muy hermosa y mil gracias querida señora Elian por la paciencia y todo el amor que me entregó éxito para todos y que Dios los bendiga siempre.”
- Susana Quileñan
“Si la verdad que yo salí feliz y Elian muy profesional nos ayudó a todos muchísimo gracias una vez más.”
- Morelba Navarro
“Para mi fue un honor compartir estas semanas con todos ustedes y me siento bendecida cada por el ángel llamado Elian que Dios nos puso en nuestro camino gracias por todo.”
- Ana Berta
“Gracias Gracias Gracias Elian y a la Organización que Representas y Enalteces. No me queda sino seguir Agradeciendo y dando Gracias primeramente a Dios , a ti Elian, a Mis Sobrinas: Esglinar, Valentina y Valeria por Invitarme al Curso y a Todas mis Compañeras y mi Compañero Ruberto. Esta experiencia fue un deleite para mi, pues ya tengo una idea más firme de lo que debo hacer para ver nacer a ABUELO’S FOOD...! Que se siga repitiendo las cosas buenas Elian ....! Grandes aplausos para ti! Dios los Bendiga a Todo este Grupo!”
-Josefina Jiménez
Spring 2022 Cocina 66 Class
"Cocina 66 is an invaluable and creative program to assist reduce barriers that are faced by Spanish-speaking culinary entrepreneurs here in Tulsa,” said KateLynn Dunning, Kitchen 66 Program Director. “This course is designed to help assist and empower culinarians to follow their dreams and establish their own culinary concept here in Tulsa. My favorite gem of Cocina 66 is that it also exposes life-long Tulsans to the vast cuisine of South America and other International food concepts. Each country has its own history, culture, and unique ingredients and each entrepreneur puts their own individual thumbprint on their hometown cuisine. Cocina 66 truly is part of the culinary renaissance in Tulsa."
To keep up with who, what, when and where you can eat with our Cocina 66 graduates and current class members, follow Kitchen 66 on Facebook and Instagram @ Kitchen66Tulsa!
