Vegas Test Kitchen Opens at Fergusons Downtown

Photo Caption: (Left) Vegas Test Kitchen Founder, Jolene Mannina outside the new concept. (Right) Vegas Test Kitchen Interior.

LAS VEGAS(November 2, 2020) Slated to open later this month, Las Vegas' first test kitchen,Vegas Test Kitchenwill make its home atFergusons Downtown. Taking over the former CHOW by Natalie Young space (1020 Fremont Street), the test kitchen will offer rotating restaurant concepts, popups and special events all under one roof for the community to discover and enjoy.

"Times are tough for everyone right now, but I truly believe that downtown Las Vegas needs this, and our chefs are craving it," said Jolene Mannina Vegas Test Kitchen Founder. "This incubator kitchen will give chefs an opportunity to test concepts, see what sticks and get the community to fall in love with them and their food. It's a win for everyone involved."

Sectioned into different vendor hubs, Vegas Test Kitchen brings together chef residencies and popups, each operating independently around the central dining room. With a variety of great food options always available, guests can choose to dine in, take their food to-go, or enjoy next door on The Yard at Fergusons.

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Chef Residencies

Offering three-month residencies, Vegas Test Kitchen gives chefs a low-risk opportunity to develop and fine-tune their menus, branding, price points, and more with the ability of getting real-time feedback from the community.

Kicking off his residency with the launch of Vegas Test Kitchen is Chef Lanny Chin,Choppedwinner, Chef de Cuisine for The Slanted Door Las Vegas, Greene Street at The Palms and more. Chef Lanny will test out his ramen concept, Slurp Society, offering a variety of ramen flavors including Tankatsu Ramen, Miso Ramen and Maze-Men; as well as his Chin Family Eggrolls, Sticky Pork Belly and Chili Garlic Wontons.

Following Chef Lanny's residency, other chefs on the docket are Chef Roy Ellamar and Chef Chris Conlon, both of whom have concepts slated to launch at Platform One atUnCommons, Las Vegas' first neighborhood food hall, in early 2022.

Resident chefs will be in the Vegas Test Kitchen Wednesdays through Fridays from 11am to 7pm and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm for walk-in experiences.

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Pop-Ups

In addition to the resident chef concepts, Vegas Test Kitchen offers space for daily pop-ups with local chefs.

Bodega Bagel by Rooster Boy Cafe Owner Chef Sonia El-Nawal and Banichka by Forte Tapas owner Nina Manchev will be the first two pop-ups at Vegas Test Kitchen.

Offering New York-style bagels and all the fixings, Bodega Bagel will be popping up with a selection of housemade gravlax, white fish salad, and a variety of schmears (including a vegan option), all perfect for pairing with the daily assortment of housemade bagels available.

Banichka will showcase a favorite Bulgarian dish, the Baniza, a flaky pastry dish layered with Georgian cheeses and other fillings. Banichka will offer a rotating variety of the dish, including the traditional Georgian cheese as well as spinach, meat, mushroom, and even a Bulgarian hotdog.

Other pop-up chef concepts in the pipeline include Yukon Pizza, PopNPies and Sliced Sushi. Hours will vary depending on the pop-up, but will be available on theVegas Test Kitchen Calendarfor easy reference.

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Special Events

With Saturday and Sunday nights open, Mannina will have the flexibility to host special events, rent out the space for private events and more.

"Programming is definitely in the works," Mannina said. "I just need to get doors open, but Im super excited to have a space both inside and in the alley next door to host some really awesome food and beverage events, so stay tuned."

Located at 1020 Fremont Street at Fergusons Downtown, Vegas Test Kitchen adds a strong food and beverage component to the already-vast offerings at the Far East Fremonts destination, and with the mission of celebrating local talent, Vegas Test Kitchen fits right in.

"Being beyond thrilled for Vegas Test Kitchen to open at Fergusons Downtown is an understatement," said Jen Taler, Fergusons Downtown Co-Founder and Creative Strategist. "Not only is this a concept Ive hoped for in this space, but it truly embodies the Fergusons ethos of highlighting and celebrating our local community, and we couldnt have asked for a better partner than Jolene. We are excited to have such a variety of ways to support our chef community through the offerings at Vegas Test Kitchen especially during a global pandemic and cannot wait to feed the community through the rotating delicious food that will come through this space."

When Vegas Test Kitchen opens, the space will comply with all COVID-19 regulations, limiting capacity to 50 percent, spacing tables at least 6-feet apart, thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing between guests and more. The safety of the guests and employees is the and will remain priority.

For more information, visitvegastestkitchen.comandfergusonsdowntown.com, and follow along at@vegastestkitchenand@fergusonsdowntown.

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About Fergusons Downtown

Fergusons Downtownis a city block rooted in community, celebrating local music, art and creators. Through the revitalization of the historic Fergusons Motel, Fergusons Downtown is cultivating a diverse and inviting community that fosters creativity and passion. From the shops of local makers to restaurants and an enchanting green space, Fergusons is a place where the community can connect, shop, eat, drink, stay, work and explore.