Building a Kitchen That Nourishes More Than Meals

Team Pacific was honoured to help Potluck Café & Catering Society create their new facility and office space at Hastings Street and Gore Avenue, right in the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The goal of this project was more than just a kitchen build - it was about designing an inclusive and innovative community hub that could serve both Potluck’s thriving catering business and their impactful social mission.

A Space Designed for Community Impact

For Potluck, the kitchen isn’t only about preparing food - it’s a tool for community building, training, and support. This renovation was designed to increase capacity for their catering operations while providing the infrastructure to expand their employment and food security programs in the Downtown Eastside.

Working in collaboration with Perkins + Will (architecture) and Foundry Commercial Kitchens (equipment & stainless steel), Pacific helped envision and deliver a facility that balances professional-grade functionality with accessibility and openness.

Functionality First – A State-of-the-Art Commercial Kitchen

Every detail of the new facility was designed to ensure smooth operations and efficient workflow:

• Ample prep space to accommodate multiple staff and volunteers.

• Walk-through refrigeration coolers for easy access and storage.

• Clear work zones to keep kitchen flow seamless during peak production.

• Custom stainless steel installations by Foundry for durability and food safety.

Adjacent to the kitchen, new office spaces now provide a home base for the Potluck team - keeping operations, leadership, and community programming under one roof.

Staying Connected to Community

One of the defining features of the project is the street-front connection. Large windows along Hastings Street and Gore Avenue open the kitchen up to the neighbourhood, maintaining Potluck’s commitment to visibility, transparency, and accessibility within the community it serves.

This design choice was central to the renovation: ensuring the new facility doesn’t just function as a kitchen, but as a community anchor in the Downtown Eastside.

The Result – A Home for Growth and Social Good

The new Potluck Café & Catering Society facility provides the infrastructure needed to expand both catering services and community programming. It’s a space built for durability, functionality, and inclusivity - supporting Potluck’s dual role as a thriving business and a force for social good in Vancouver.

Ready to Build Your Next Community-Focused Space?

At Pacific Solutions Contracting, we specialize in commercial kitchen construction, nonprofit facility renovations, and tenant improvements that support both business and community impact.

👉 Let’s talk about how we can help bring your vision to life.