We recently connected with Lenka Dhoju and have shared our conversation below.

Lenka, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Returning back to our traditional Slovak cuisine and especially, baked goods, was a natural transition to my own culture and heritage that brings the feel of a home while I am living far away from home – in my homes all around the world.

Kneading the dough on my grandma’s knees is what I lively remember any time I wander with my memories back to childhood. Helping, licking out the bowls, kneading, baking and, cherishing seasonal ingredients and turning them into delicious meals – that always was my happy haven wherever life took me. Sharing memories, emotions and culture throughout the food and my cooking and baking classes with other people is something very special for me

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Passion for food and travel is something that was always a part of me. When I turned 18 and started to travel to more distant places where I was creating my temporary homes I suddenly realized that I was missing my home, my roots and the sense of familiarity.

Cooking traditional food I grew up on always brought some kind of comfort that I was longing for and missing when living in places all around the world. It was then when I realized that exploring the world around doesn’t mean that you have to forget about the piece of the world you came from and you will always belong to.

I started to share our unique and delicious Eastern European cuisine and recipes with others around me and very soon my hobby and passion turned into a business of sorts where I teach baking and cooking classes on traditional and the most favorite Eastern European recipes with all those interested in learning about this amazing cuisine and culture

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me is definitely the world of mouth – many of my clients (I like to call them friends) keep coming for more and more classes that I teach both, in-person and online. Most of the new people I cook or bake with have heard of my classes from someone who already took the class with me in the past. I also like to reach out to new companies and teams with my online classes that are perfect for team buildings and gatherings

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

You don’t have to be perfect in everything when you’re starting with something new. With time, you’ll get better – if you like what you do, start small with one small step, but start.

Many aspects of teaching and delivering a great class were so new to me in the beginning (cooking for myself and cooking with others are two very different things and skills) and I remember I was unsure about myself and the whole idea. I learned that practice really makes perfect and that I don’t have to have a perfect website, kitchen or class menu to be able to start with doing what I love. Genuine approach and authenticity is much more valuable and appreciated than a perfection

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bakewithlenka.com
• Instagram: @bakewithlenka