Meet the Family

  • michael callahan

    FOUNDER

    Michael has been in the food and wine business for the past 35 years. Most of his career has been as an independent entrepreneur, making food for fairs and festivals all over the United States, with a specific focus on the Pacific Northwest.

    He also opened a small independent produce market in 1996 in what was then a North Portland “food desert.” That store is still very much alive and thriving today and is called Cherry Sprout Produce. In 2008, he started a successful wine business at Cherry Sprout Produce. He built a large following in the local community as he curated an affordable and eclectic selection of local and international wines for over ten years. 

    His love of food, the food industry, and independent, entrepreneurial businesses inspired him to build a shared commissary kitchen in 2015. Cherry Pit Kitchen opened its doors in 2016 and has helped launch countless new culinary start-up businesses since its inception. 

  • noah callahan

    KITCHEN MANAGER

    Noah grew up in his father’s food business, where he started rolling burritos at fairs and festivals at a very young age. He continued to enjoy working in the food business and has worked for many companies over the past 15 years. 

    Working in both restaurants and commercial kitchens, as well as running his own food business, has given him a vast understanding of what’s needed to be successful in the food industry. He enjoys the challenges of problem-solving, reading about other interesting food projects, and being an integral part of a kitchen that supports other like-minded independent businesses. 

    He brings with him to Cherry Pit Kitchen great people skills, a large knowledge of food safety and hygiene, amazing organizational skills, a phenomenal attitude, and an award-winning smile. 

father & son

Today, this father and son combo of Michael and Noah are thrilled to be back working together again with their focus now trained on the smooth operation of an exciting joint venture called “Cherry Pit Kitchen”. 

They work hard with a wide array of culinary entrepreneurs to ensure that the kitchen is well run, well stocked, well maintained, and that each business feels completely supported by them. The true testament of this hard work and dedication comes in the form of seeing the many successes of those businesses working in the kitchen both past and present.

Under the watchful eye and stewardship of Michael and Noah, Cherry Pit kitchen, along with Cherry Sprout Produce and The Red Fox, has now become a cornerstone institution of this small, vibrant, and community focused Humboldt neighborhood. Located in the heart of North Portland, Cherry Pit is certainly here to stay!