(L. to r.); Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, Assemblymember Grace Meng, state Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Queens Economic Development Corporation Executive Direcor Seth Bornstein, Councilmembers Jimmy Van Bramer, Karen Koslowitz and Assemblymember Marge Markey at the Entrepreneur Space one year anniversary party. BarsamianTonyPhoto On January 25, the Entrepreneur Space—a small business incubator that helps emerging food service entrepreneurs create businesses—celebrated its one-year anniversary.

So to mark the occasion, the group hosted a lively fête of food and fun, featuring creative confections made by vendors, which currently call the Long Island City locale home.

Among the featured food items available at the Wednesday night event were cayenne pepper infused chocolate covered toffee courtesy of Gold Leaf Confections, Wasabi-flavored marshmallows provided by Mitchmallows, Taft Foodmasters vegetarian gyro sandwich and Krumville Bakeshop gluten free apple ginger muffins.

The preserved 20-year-old cake from Elizabeth Taylor’s 60th birthday party was on display during the anniversary event at the Incubator. The festive atmosphere also featured a 20-year-old cake from Elizabeth Taylor’s 60th birthday party.

“I’m literally blown away by the diversity of food vendors based out of this facility,” said Joan Wargo of Brooklyn, who stressed she came to Queens seeking samples of the best kept secret recipes the borough has to offer.

Also on hand to help celebrate Wednesday night were many elected officials that included Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, who stood alongside state Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblymembers Grace Meng and Marge Markey, Councilmembers Karen Koslowitz, Jimmy Van Bramer and Julissa Ferreras, in congratulating the Entrepreneur Space on a job well done.

“Getting started is often the hardest part of doing business. But having this Entrepreneur Space helps local businesses establish themselves by providing kitchen space, office facilities and training on the fundamentals of being in business, which are all critical to success,” Marshall said.

Indeed, there were many in attendance that agreed with Marshall’s sentiments regarding the Entrepreneur Space.

“If they didn’t have this place I don’t know how I would have started my own business,” said Antonella Zangheri, founder of Krumville Bakeshop, which launched three months ago out of the Queens-based business incubator.

Zangheri, who was originally a fashion photographer, decided to start her own gluten free bakery after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

“I wanted to share all of the positive aspects of a gluten free diet with the world,” she said. “And Katherine Gregory, who runs the entrepreneur space really helped me get this whole thing going,” Zangheri added.

But for Gregory, helping Zangheri and others like her is all in a day’s work.

“We’re in the business of building dreams,” said Gregory, founder of Mi Kitchen es su Kitchen, which manages the Entrepreneur Space.

Currently there are more than 155 small businesses currently residing in the 12,500 square-foot Long Island City facility sponsored by the Economic Development Corporation.

The hub features a fully equipped commercial kitchen, offices and classrooms that entrepreneurs can rent at below-market rates as they build their businesses. To improve outcomes, QEDC also offers a wide array of business counseling, technical assistance and financial classes to clients on site.

“Small food manufacturers are a critically important part of the city’s economy, providing well-paying jobs and representing a key area of growth in the city’s industrial sector,” said city Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. “The one-year anniversary of the Entrepreneur Space, which now has over 155 clients, represents an important milestone in the Bloomberg Administration’s successful implementation of a citywide incubator network that is providing entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow and succeed.”

“The Entrepreneur Space helps small businesses start and grow by providing affordable kitchen and office space, as well as a place for smart and talented people to come together and work on ideas,” city Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh said. “By supporting small businesses, incubators help create a stronger economy and more jobs for New Yorkers. Happy Birthday to the Entrepreneur Space and may you continue to cook up success for small businesses in New York City.”

The birthday party was proud to have Queens sponsors Cascon Baking Company, a Whitestone-based, full-service bakery; Kaufman Astoria Studios, an internationally renowned film and television production center and Vallo Transportation that provides bus services throughout the city.

“There is so much so much to celebrate right now, as we exceeded all expectations during the Incubator’s first year,” QEDC Executive Director Seth Bornstein said. “We have great clients producing fantastic products, and we really hope to build on the success in 2012. Whether talking about this party or the business world, the Incubator really takes the cake.”

The space is located at 36-47 37th Street, L.I.C.