My background is in advertising but my heart has always been in food. In April 2003 I catered for my brother's wedding and, after numerous requests from friends to show them how to cook, I decided to turn my hobby into my career and launched my cookery school 'Cupcake Academy' in Sunninghill, South Africa in May of that year.
I kicked off classes with a cheap, two plate stove precariously balanced on a counter top and a motley assortment of rickety chairs, and was thrilled when 8 students had enough faith in my abilities to sign up for my first class. Within a matter of months....and without spending a penny advertising my school....I had built a separate wing with a dedicated demonstration kitchen on the side of my house, and was teaching in excess of 300 students every month with a lengthy waiting list for places.
I realised my longheld dream of moving to Israel in June 2006 and, the very first week I arrived, approached a well known cookery school to offer my services as an English speaking cookery teacher. Here I was informed that 'English speakers have no interest in cookery classes' and was told that I'd be 'wasting my time trying to target this non-existent market'.
It was therefore with a sense of trepidation that I advertised my first cooking class from my home in Hod Hasharon....and I was gratified to receive a wonderful response. History repeated itself as the demand for places very soon exceeded supply, and once again word of mouth proved the most effective marketing tool of all.
Due to space constraints, Delicious! classes are smaller and more intimate and this allows me to truly connect with my students. Unlike my previous school where large classes meant I was limited to offering tastings only, Delicious! students share a full meal around my dining table at the end of each lesson, and I often remark that it feels as if I am entertaining friends.
I do hope that I will soon have the opportunity to add you to my list of happy diners and look forward to delivering a truly Delicious! experience!
Delicious! wishes
Lisa Brink
Delicious! Kitchen
I kicked off classes with a cheap, two plate stove precariously balanced on a counter top and a motley assortment of rickety chairs, and was thrilled when 8 students had enough faith in my abilities to sign up for my first class. Within a matter of months....and without spending a penny advertising my school....I had built a separate wing with a dedicated demonstration kitchen on the side of my house, and was teaching in excess of 300 students every month with a lengthy waiting list for places.
I realised my longheld dream of moving to Israel in June 2006 and, the very first week I arrived, approached a well known cookery school to offer my services as an English speaking cookery teacher. Here I was informed that 'English speakers have no interest in cookery classes' and was told that I'd be 'wasting my time trying to target this non-existent market'.
It was therefore with a sense of trepidation that I advertised my first cooking class from my home in Hod Hasharon....and I was gratified to receive a wonderful response. History repeated itself as the demand for places very soon exceeded supply, and once again word of mouth proved the most effective marketing tool of all.
Due to space constraints, Delicious! classes are smaller and more intimate and this allows me to truly connect with my students. Unlike my previous school where large classes meant I was limited to offering tastings only, Delicious! students share a full meal around my dining table at the end of each lesson, and I often remark that it feels as if I am entertaining friends.
I do hope that I will soon have the opportunity to add you to my list of happy diners and look forward to delivering a truly Delicious! experience!
Delicious! wishes
Lisa Brink
Delicious! Kitchen