Philadelphia Cookhouse, a ghost kitchen hub to East Coast culinary favorites, is scheduled to open its doors in the city in the summer of 2022. MBB Management and Cescaphe Event Group are the two local hospitality companies behind Philadelphia Cookhouse.
MBB Management President John Moser says the concept for Philadelphia Cookhouse has been in the works for a few years and has about eight more months before opening up at an unconfirmed location. Moser told Philadelphia Business Journal that he and his partners are looking for a location in a mixed-use development where apartment residents or hotel guests could place mobile orders for takeout and pick their orders up at lockers in the building’s lobby. This would also make it easy for DoorDash and UberEats drivers to pick up and deliver food.
“[The] ghost kitchen [model] has obviously done really well lately; I think it’ll continue to do well,” Moser told the Journal. “But I also think just being a single revenue source in this day and age is nearly impossible.”
Another ideal location for the Cookhouse would be a development with retail space or a large event or wedding venue where Cescaphe could serve as a catering partner.
“Our idea for this unique twist on the popular ghost kitchen concept is an exciting one that benefits restaurateurs, consumers, and developers — my version of a win-win-win — and I’m looking forward to seeing where we can take it,” Joe Volpe, CEO and founder of Cescaphe, told the Journal.
MBB and Cescaphe are currently considering the former PECO power plant site at 1325/1325R Beach St. in Fishtown. Philadelphia Cookhouse was listed in plans for a project called “The Battery,” which is planned at the site. MBB posted construction photos of the site on their Facebook page in March, saying, “Every day we get closer #philly #mbbmanagement #thebattery #philadelphiachookhouse #phillyvenue.” So, this could be Philadelphia Cookhouse’s future home. What we know for sure so far is that Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks and Zac’s Hamburgers will be a part of Philadelphia Cookhouse, as well as celebrity cook Steve Martorano. Philadelphia Cookhouse will be used as a model for similar operations in Baltimore and New York and is estimated to cost about $2 million to build.
