'Edibles Awareness & Passion' at KitchAnnette in Tuckahoe

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. This series is as much about supporting companies as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Our spotlight today is on Annette Zito of KitchAnnette™.

Business: KitchAnnette™
Owners: Annette Zito
Website: http://www.kitchannette.com
Address: The “brain” of the business in an office in my home on Wallace Street in Tuckahoe.
Contact_Info: Annette Zito, 914-485-2244, annette@kitchannette.com

How did you come up with the name?

When my dad mused with opening a luncheonette about 7 years ago, I jokingly suggested he call it “KitchAnnette” for the play on little kitchen and “for me”. He never opened the business but the name cracked me up so much that I started to blog and create recipe videos using it. Last summer I launched the first pre-packed juicing kits called JUICE THIS Perfectly Portioned Produce Packs, and this past winter I published my first cookbook, KitchAnnette Red Carpet Menus. I just introduced a new personal size of JUICE THIS that is available at Fresh Direct, Chelsea Market’s Manhattan Fruit Exchange, and can be ordered directly.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

I love Tuckahoe - I moved here in 1991. It has a rich history in marble and “Maude”. It’s thriving and becoming more of a vibrant destination village of the county with the advent of great places like Growler’s, Swirl N Joy Yogurt & Edibles, etc. Thanks to the Generoso Pope Foundation, we have spectacular events that appeal to all, too. It’s the place to BE!

Briefly, what business are you in?

Edibles Awareness & Passion

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

It’s challenging to become solvent enough to exist solely on the business. I’ve been taking it slowly, setting manageable goals and achieving them in my ultimate quest to have the business fully support me.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

Never - but I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs so it’s “normal” to me.

Everyone should be an entrepreneur, even if you keep a full-time job. Being able to monetize a passion in some way is a wonderful feeling. It’s you and an idea that becomes a reality that people will pay for. It’s a very validating and self-satisfying endeavor.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

Every book sale to people I don’t know and each JUICE THIS pack purchased and enjoyed are my favorite moments!

I was so humbled & proud when I held the first copy of my cookbook. And, every new distribution acquisition for my packs is like a wave of pure joy! It fuels me to continue to create delicious products that help to make the kitchen fun and easy!

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

Well, my cookbook is comprised of menus I created over 20 years based on Oscar® Best Picture nominations so there have been a lot of people who’ve contributed excellent suggestions! I’ve also had the help of a lot of tasters when I developed the recipes for JUICE THIS.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

I haven’t had any so far, but my experience having worked in my family’s businesses and some corporate retail stores is to treat them with respect. Right or wrong, their feelings are valid. Do your best to satisfy their position while being fair.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

KitchAnnette sponsors a team called Toni’s Tony Team for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in NYC’s Central Park every September. We’re less than 2 weeks away! I create a t-shirt design for the team to wear and make it available for purchase with all proceeds going to the race.

I’m in the early stages of creating an Oscar® event to raise money for children and the arts too!

The plan behind this series at Patch is to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

This is as much about supporting local businesses as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.

Click here to get to a simple form where local business owners can answer a few quick questions to be part of this ongoing feature.