Wanda Blake’s cooking apprenticeship started in her mother’s kitchen and continued in the kitchens of great aunts, aunties, grandmas, and cousins. In 1981, Wanda attended City College of San Francisco to study hotel and restaurant management. In 2015, she launched Wanda’s Cooking as a pop-up restaurant event in Oakland and San Francisco, California. The reason? She is passionate about providing for her community through food and culture. Wanda’s pop-up events provided a food service experience that gathered people around a family memory or a new food experience. Wanda’s Cooking first Popup “Sunday Supper”, was in memory of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house. Wanda’s Cooking is a family of food passionate Chefs and friends who have touched people in the Bay Area and beyond. It is the result of hard work, dedication to others, and perseverance. “I launched Wanda’s Cooking because it gives me the opportunity to express my culture through food” said Wanda “as well as being able to provide jobs to my own community.”
In 2018, Wanda recognized her business needed a better foundation in order to be able to, eventually, scale it. Wanda started Centro’s Basic Entrepreneurship Program in April 2019 and learned how to establish the business’ foundational needs (mission, vision, marketing plan). “Centro provides entrepreneurs with the basic tools in a unique way that is easy to complete a business plan,” said Wanda “Centro’s Business Planning App guided me through every step that my business needed in order to scale it.” Wanda was further supported by Centro’s trainers throughout each class, and by her advisor outside of class.
Throughout Centro’s Basic Entrepreneurship Program, Wanda identified her target market, established a mission, vision, marketing plan, and projected potential earnings. Six months after graduating from Centro, Wanda’s Cooking has launched a pantry on her website to sell ‘Pepper Chowchow’ – a traditional Southern condiment made from Sweet and Hot seasonal peppers. Pepper Chowchow has been shipped as far south as Tasmania, Australia and as far north as Juno, Alaska.
Today, Wanda feels empowered with how her business is performing. “It is growing at a steady pace that allows me to keep learning from other entrepreneurs, my community and my own mistakes” said Wanda. “Having established my business plan clearly has left me with a peace of mind, I did not have before.”
Within the next year, Wanda hopes to scale her business by having her products tested and approved for retail shelf storage throughout the state, and potentially the nation. As a result, she plans on securing a retail space to produce, manufacture and sell her products in one place. “Thanks to Centro, I am aware that in order to grow as an entrepreneur, I have to stay open to feedback and constructive criticism, one never stops learning”.
Join Wanda Blake in her food journey, as she travels and explores all the flavors of food. When you follow Wanda’s Cooking on social media, you join in her excitement of recipe development, travel and what she sees happening in the Bay Area food arena.
Visit Wanda’s Cooking website to learn more about her business and take a moment to watch this video where Wanda opens up about her entrepreneurial journey!