Cook Stars

Joining Cook Stars was the best thing I could have done!

I have been the owner of Cook Stars Solihull for just over two years now and I can say that joining Cook Stars was the best thing I could have done!

I absolutely love what I do and knowing that there is always support and advice from Cathy, Faye and Emma whenever it is needed is so reassuring. The way things were adapted during the lockdowns meant that we could carry on with our businesses and that was all down to head office.

I am now at the stage where I am so busy that I need to take on staff which I could never of dreamed of when I started out! SO thank you Cathy, Faye and Emma.

Cook Stars has changed my life!

Since starting I have learnt so much about running my own business, without the back up and support from Cathy and Faye it would have been so much harder. They are very supportive and knowledgeable and if they didn't know they would find out.

I love running the classes, workshops and parties. They are why I took that leap from my old job to Cook Stars. Working with children has always been something I want to do and to be able to continue this with one of my hobbies of cooking has been perfect. Everything is so organised from your weekly cooking lessons, the holiday workshops, how to advertise them including the necessary designs.

From initially wanting to run just classes and workshops I have found that a range of doors have opened that weren't expected or even though of by me. I am involved in home educating children, special needs groups, food festivals and schools.

Being my own boss means I can take it where I want it to go and decide on what I work so still getting that work/life balance around my children's lives.

My only regret is that I didn't find out about Cook Stars sooner

If you're thinking about applying I'd tell you to get in touch right away!

I have been totally blown away with the level of support that I have received from Cook Stars. Although I am running my own business and have the freedom that comes with it, I also feel like I'm not alone as I'm part of a lovely team.

I became a Cook Stars franchisee because I wanted a job that could work for me and my family and combine my two passions: cooking and working with children.

Before Cook Stars I was a Teaching Assistant for 17 years. I enjoy the flexibility of being my own boss with Cook Stars!

My greatest achievement is having so many incredible children and their families enjoying what we do. I am most proud of all of my Cook Stars children, they have learned so much already and are developing so many skills: counting, weighing, socialising, communicating, listening skills, safety, personal hygiene, cutting skills and many more!

Becoming a Cook Stars franchisee has been such an incredible journey so far. The head office team Cathy, Faye and Jo along with all the other franchisees are extremely supportive and helpful - it's like having a Cook Stars family. The job is extremely rewarding as the children learn new skills so fast and they love showing their parents what they've made!

For quite some time, I had been looking for a business venture that I would enjoy doing and also find financially rewarding, Cook Stars ticks both boxes.

I came across Cook Stars some months ago, (this is after extensive research of various business ideas and opportunities) enquired about it and spent some time to reflect on all the information I had received. I had several conversations with Cathy and met her on one of the discovery days, that sealed it for me.

I have attended a 2 day training session with founder Cathy and I must say Cathy is brilliant and professional but also down to earth, just fabulous. We had lots to laugh about during the training, she is an excellent trainer. She had thought of everything and I mean absolutely everything. She explained how to run the classes and also had practical sessions of cooking some of the recipes. A manual was provided which practically details every step to take for every activity.

At the end of the training, I was given all the equipment I would need, the quantity and quality of everything I received was unbelievable. The portable ovens are awesome!

After the training, Cathy provided further emails of how to promote myself and develop my business. Even though I have butterflies now that my start date is a few weeks to go, I feel excited and equipped to start running my classes but most importantly I feel supported."

I am finally in charge of my own destiny!

I joined Cook Stars as a franchisee and I can safely say it was the best thing I ever did.
There is no much support available from Cathy and the team at Head Office. What I also enjoy is the amount of autonomy I have - because after all it is my business. There's no hard sell, pressure to expand or high expectations. You can just grow your business in a way that suits you.

The journey has been life changing

Everything about the Cook Stars franchise has been carefully considered, set up and waiting for mew to get started. When embarking on a franchise you want to know that you have done the right thing. I am 100% confident in the Cook Stars franchise.

Head office are totally 'switched on' and know exactly how to help you run a successful business - for me this is an essential requirement to success.

I started my journey with Cook Stars in February 2017. As soon as I saw the website I knew it was for me.

I arranged a call with founder Cathy to have an initial chat about the Cook Stars concept. Cathy was warm, friendly, informative and also had a great understanding of the challenges of being a working parent.

I was extremely interested and was invited along to the discovery day. My husband and daughter were able to attend too. At the discovery day we were able to meet other potential franchisees and watch a live Cook Stars class. It was great and extremely well organised.

Cathy then talked us through the Cook Stars concept and the next steps to take on the journey. The presentation was professional and questions were clearly answered.

We were all made to feel very welcome. My daughter loved meeting Cathy and her experience. I left that day knowing 100% that I would become a franchisee for Cook Stars.

Cathy and Faye have been there to answer questions and are able to give advice when needed.

I completed my training recently and was extremely impressed with Cathy's approach. There is a wealth of information and continuous support given to the new franchisees.

If you are a technophobe you have nothing to worry about as you will be guided through the whole process step by step. You also will learn new skills.

Cathy has created a comprehensive user manual which has left no stone un-turned. Every aspect of the business is captured in the manual which is very user friendly. The equipment is great and plenty of it, everything to get you started.

Cathy welcomes feedback and suggestions and takes all comments on board and has followed up with questions she was unable to answer at the time of the training.

The Cook Stars family is growing and Cathy and her team are an inspiration. I'm so looking forward to what my future has to hold with Cook Stars."

I love Cook Stars because it is such a flexible business.

I decide what hours I want to put in and how many classes to run. The whole business has been really thought through by Cathy, and I mean really thought through.

The presentation, kits and recipes are outstanding. Cathy is very professional and the support is second to none. I love the fact that I get to work with schools and various charity organisations.

The feedback from parents and birthday parties brings me lots of smiles.

I love my job!

Cathy and Faye have been so supportive from the start and gave me everything I needed to run the business. What I love is that i am still in charge and it is down to me how I want to grown the business.

>What do you enjoy most about running your franchise?
Oh my gosh, where do I start! The look on the children's faces, the flexibility, the freedom, the buzz every time you get a new order or receive a positive comment, the hilarious comments the children make, the lovely parents I've met, the feeling that I'm in control of my own future..... the list is endless

>What is your greatest achievement and what are you most proud of?
Wow! It's tough to say what my greatest achievement is really. I think just being brave enough, assertive enough, motivated enough & confident enough in the first place to even sign up in the first place was an amazing achievement for me. I've always dreamed of doing something like this but never quite had the nerve to take that first step. Cook Stars is just SO easy though and because it isn't a massive financial investment either I think that really helped me decide to take the plunge.

Signing up to Cook Stars is honestly and truly the best thing I ever did! I won't pretend it's easy, because it is hard work, and there are no set hours to your working day, but after every session I spend the rest of the day wondering around with a demented smile on my face! It really is the best job ever and I count myself very, very fortunate to be doing what I do.

I've just completed my training with Cathy, and I can honestly say the training was fantastic

Absolutely everything you need to know about starting classes, running classes and maintaining them is covered, alongside plenty of brilliant marketing advice, running parties, spreadsheets, the list goes on! I also got the chance to make a couple of recipes, and they were so easy to make and tasted delicious!

Cathy and Faye have been brilliant throughout the whole process, if you have any queries, they are answered very quickly. I feel totally at ease now, and can't wait to start my classes in September.

I feel very lucky to have joined the amazing Cook Stars team only 2 months ago and have been blown away by the whole experience so far.

Since meeting Cathy at the Discovery day I knew Cook Stars was for me. Cathy's enthusiasm for the job is infectious and not only this her knowledge and experience reassure you that you are taking on the best franchise!!! Both Cathy and Faye are always on hand to guide, support and reassure you whenever you need them.

The business side of the job was very new to me and now only 2 months in I feel far more confident with marketing, spreadsheets, social media posts, and a whole lot more. The possibilities with this job are endless and in such a short space of time I have worked in schools, established pre-school and after school groups, been part of university projects and have a range of festivals lined up.

As you can see I love my job and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.

The training for Cook Stars was fun, informative and made me feel really at ease.

Everything you need to know and so much more is organised into folders to ensure that it's easily accessible ready for when you start.

Cathy makes you feel so relaxed and comfortable and it was quite easily the most fun I've ever had on a training course!

I now feel ready to start on my exciting Cook Stars journey and know I have everything I need to make it successful!
 

I left the Discovery Day knowing 100% I was going to join Cook Stars.

There is a wealth of information and continuous support given to the new franchisees.

If you are a technophobe you have nothing to worry about as you will be guided through the whole process step by step.

I am so excited to be part of the Cook Stars team.

When I heard about the Cook Stars opportunity I knew this was the chance to expand my love of cooking, working with children and be responsible for my own achievements. All with having the wonderful support from Cook Stars to guide me in the right direction.

It is nearly 1 year since I joined Cook Stars 👩🏼‍🍳🌟

I can't believe what an amazing experience this has been for me. With the support of the team at head office I am building a successful varied business.

Classes, workshops, parties, school sessions, bespoke sessions for community groups (beavers, scouts & SEN groups), community events and much more!!!

We have met so many fabulous young Cook Stars & enjoy watching them progress in cooking and socials skills, confidence and knowledge.

I am looking forward to many more opportunities to develop my business in the future. I would like to say a huge thank you to Cathy , Faye and Lucy (also all the other fabulous cook stars franchisees) for their support and advice. They are always there when you need them but also allow us to build our own business in a way that suits us. Nothing is ever too much trouble and they really are lovely.
Thank you for welcoming me to TEAM COOK STARS 👩🏼‍🍳🌟

Thank you all, my only wish is that i had found Cook Stars years ago!

I have only been running classes with Cook Stars for just over a month but in that month the support and advice given from head office has been invaluable. Nothing is too much trouble and the encouragement has helped with the immense steep learning curve that has had to take place! Their knowledge is imparted with the up most patience and kindness and it is this that has made me feel a valuable member of the Cook Stars team already!

The franchise support is superb!

The management team are genuinely interested in you both as a person and as a franchisee. There is always someone on hand to answer your questions and provide support so you never feel 'on your own'. The monthly reports and phone calls focus on how you're doing and ideas of how to increase your earnings and grow your business. It is good to be able to see this from an objective view. 100% satisfied with everything.

Knowledge is imparted with the up most patience and kindness

I have only been running classes with Cook Stars for just over a month but in that month the support and advice given from head office has been invaluable.

Nothing is too much trouble and the encouragement has helped with the immense steep learning curve that has had to take place!

Their knowledge is imparted with the up most patience and kindness and it is this that has made me feel a valuable member of the Cook Stars team already!

Thank you all, my only wish is that I had found Cook Stars years ago!

I have the best job in the world!

Head Office are incredibly supportive, inspirational and knowledgeable and have helped me so much on my journey as a franchisee.

For anyone thinking about joining Cook Stars my advice would be to go for it - you could have the best job in the world too!

What I enjoy is the amount of autonomy I have - because after all it is my business.

I joined Cook Stars as a Franchisee just under a year ago now and I can safely say it was the best thing I ever did. There is so much support available from the team at Head Office. There's no hard sell, pressure to expand or high expectations. You can just grow your business in a way that suits you. I am finally in charge of my own destiny.