E Harlem Food Vendors To Get Free Space In Chelsea Market

EAST HARLEM, NY — A Harlem nonprofit that runs an incubator for local food entrepreneurs will offer free space for food vendors in the bustling Chelsea Market, the organization announced.

Hot Bread Kitchen's pop-up space in Chelsea Market opened last week and will offer businesses in its East Harlem incubator free space on a rotating basis, the nonprofit said. The first business to receive the free space in the market is an Ethiopian restaurant called Gorsha, which is run by an alumnus of Hot Bread Kitchen's food entrepreneurship program.

"Our goal is to make Ethiopian food more accessible," Hiyaw Gebreyohannes, founder of Gorsha, said in a statement. "At Chelsea Market, we will gain exposure with New York’s longstanding foodie scene and tourists from around the world."

Gorsha's Chelsea Market stall will offer build-your-own bowls featuring proteins such as berbere chicken and braised lamb; vegan options such as red lentils, yellow split peas and beets and toppings such as white honey and parsley yogurt. The Chelsea Market location is Gorsha's second location since Gebreyohannes graduated from Hot Bread Kitchen's entrepreneurship program.

Chelsea Market, located on West 15th Street between Ninth and 10th avenues, draws hordes tourists and office workers to its food market every day. Hot Bread Kitchen's pop-up space in the market will be located across from the Bar Suzette and Doughnuttery vendors.

Ninety percent of the food businesses operating out of Hot Bread Kitchen's East Harlem incubator are owned by women or people of color, the organization said.

"With more than 500,000 monthly visitors, Chelsea Market is an incredible platform for our network of diverse entrepreneurs to advance their businesses," Caroline Mak, Program Director of Hot Bread Kitchen Incubates, said.

"Chelsea Market is an iconic, high-visibility site that will provide our members and alum the opportunity to join a broader community of food entrepreneurs, chefs, and foodies, while engaging with a new, wide-reaching consumer base."