Zonata: 2014

THE COOKING ACADEMY ADDS NON EXECS TO ITS RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

World cuisine cookery school The Cooking Academy has appointed two high profile non-execs to develop and support its plans for growth. The non-execs are business growth mentor Paul Wallace founder of WallaceBurch and marketing strategist Andy Hunt CEO of Amberjack Marketing (www.amberjackb2b.com).

Founded seven years ago by Kumud Gandhi, The Cooking Academy teaches people in a fun and enthusiastic way how to prepare and cook food from around the world. The emphasis is placed on creating delicious nutritious dishes for a wide range of occasions and for all levels of cooking ability. Kumud was inspired both by her mother’s family, who are chemists in India, and her father’s, who are spice merchants. This blend of science and an appreciation of spices stimulated her unique approach to food, what Kumud calls, her ‘Alchemy of food’.

As well as running popular publicly available courses and social events for families and groups of friends, the school has built an extensive corporate client-base for both team-building events and corporate entertainment and hospitality.

Clients have included The Royal Academy, Fashion TV, members of the Royal Household, celebrities and a former UK prime minister. In addition, as the ‘face’ of The Cooking Academy, Kumud is often called upon to provide expert comment for national print media, TV and Radio. She has been nicknamed ‘The Spice Queen’ by Nick Hoffer for her broadcast success with the BBC.

With such a successful track record, Kumud Gandhi sees the potential to scale the business across a larger programme of courses and services, along with the opportunity to build the brand across an international broadcast and online community of cookery enthusiasts. The new appointments will help steer The Cooking Academy along this path.

Commenting on the news Kumud Gandhi noted: “Our customer-focused formula has worked well throughout the start-up stage and beyond. However it promises so much more and there is a significant opportunity to grow the business further with the right guidance. I have known Paul and Andy for some years and believe that their skills and acumen will provide the business with the management breadth we need in order to effectively grasp the exciting opportunities we face. I am confident that their support will help take The Cooking Academy to new heights and I look forward to working closely with them."

Commenting upon his appointment Andy Hunt noted: “I am delighted to be joining The Cooking Academy at such an exciting time in its evolution. Having ‘lived the brand’ by taking part in one of Kumud’s fantastic courses I have no doubt that the business has huge potential to grow and grow.”

For his part Paul Wallace added: “Kumud is an exceptionally competent well-motivated individual who has built a fabulous business driven by her passion for high quality food. Through her, The Cooking Academy is a completely customer-focused business that is facing exciting growth opportunities and I am completely delighted to be working with both her and Andy.”

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Find out more about WallaceBurch at www.wallaceburch.com

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