Meet Bhavna Gupta | Business Owner & Family Party Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bhavna Gupta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bhavna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It’s in my blood! I come from a business background. My paternal Grandma’s family were into food catering businesses and my father was into our family business of manufacturing & export, based out of Chennai, a city in the southern part of India. I joined our family business right after I completed my graduate degree. I got first-hand experience in the ways & rules of doing a business and saw how so many people were impacted by the decision making of the Management. I then realized that this is something that I would want to do as well. I wished to do my part in not just providing job opportunities but contributing to the society too, however I could. I got busy in Corporate world after that for about 15 years but I was finally able to do what I was passionate about – start my own business. My dad always used to say, never think of asking when you can be creating & giving!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Young Chefs Academy is all about teaching the joy & value of cooking! Cooking is a basic life skill that I believe everyone must know. Whatever field you are working in, whatever career path you have chosen or will choose, whatever point of life you are at – you gotta eat! What sets our Academy apart is that we are not about the recipes but about teaching the basic skills and techniques used to make those recipes. We teach not just how to cook but the art of food presentation, how to scale recipes, ingredient substitution, food temperatures, food storage, history of ingredients, what part of the world that recipe is from and the importance of keeping our spaces clean. I’ve had so many parents tell me that their child is a picky eater but after being in our class for just a couple of times, they totally change their outlook towards food.

Children tend to at least try the food that they have made themselves and are very proud to talk about it to their family as well as peers. That’s what sets us apart and this is where I get the most joy! It is so heartwarming to see a child run up to their family, all excited, to say that they cracked an egg all by themselves!!

I must say that owning a business has come with it’s own challenges. Just like other small business owners I have also struggled with starting and managing a business during Covid times, sometimes staffing issues can be challenging. But every challenge has taught me something different and taught me to step up! I care about my teachers, students as well as parents and want them to have the best experience ever. It was definitely not an easy road and I still have a long way to go but I look forward to the journey as well as continued mentorship from my rocking support system!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely start the day with an amazing home cooked breakfast made from our Young Chef Academy recipes! Our activities would include shopping, dinning out, hanging out together as family as well as just the two of us, I would love to take them for a Painting with a Twist class at their Frisco location, glass blowing experience in Dallas, the Reunion Tower for a fun evening, chilling out at the Little Elm beach, boating on Lake Lewisville, catch a movie at Grandscapes and shopping at Stonebriar Mall as well as Legacy West. Definitely not to be missed will be the enormous grocery stores – afterall, everything is bigger and better in Texas 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely! I have to thank my parents for being my role model and giving me the kind of upbring as well as values which inspired me to even think of taking such a step. I wish to also thank my husband of 21 years, who has not just been my biggest mentor but also my strongest pillar of support. Without his reassurance, encouragement and continued support, this would never have been possible. He took care of our family when I was busy in setting up both my locations and provided unbiased solutions for many decisions I was not able to take on my own. Both my daughters have rooted for me many times & it’s heartwarming to see their enthusiasm to someday follow my footsteps!

Website: https://friscotx.youngchefsacademy.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/yca_friscotx

Facebook: www.facebook.com/youngchefsfrisco

Image Credits
All images have been taken by me and my staff.