On a recent episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Rebecca Monet interviewed Jessi Brelsford, the visionary Founder & Chief Bud of Taste Buds Kitchen. What started as a hobby teaching kids to bake has grown into a nationwide franchise brand that creates community and connection through culinary entertainment.
A Sweet Beginning
Jessi’s path to entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight line. With a degree in economics from Harvard and a career in finance on Wall Street, she seemed destined for corporate success. Yet, something was missing. Seeking creativity and community, she began hosting cupcake-decorating parties for kids in a tiny New York apartment. Demand quickly grew, and what started as “Cupcake Kids” soon evolved into Taste Buds Kitchen—a space where all ages could experience the joy of cooking together.
Building a Culinary Playground
By 2010, Jessi opened the first Taste Buds Kitchen location in Chelsea, Manhattan. Today, the brand offers everything from kids’ birthday parties and summer camps to BYOB adult cooking classes and corporate team-building events. Each experience is designed as a “culinary playground”—a fun, educational environment where guests can learn new skills, try new foods, and make lasting memories.
“Our recipes aren’t meant to be tricky,” Jessi explained. “We’re not trying to train the next top chef—we’re creating approachable, fun experiences that bring people together.”
Franchising the Flavor
After years of running events across New York, Jessi began receiving requests from people across the country who wanted to bring Taste Buds Kitchen to their cities. In 2014, she franchised the brand, and the first franchise location opened in 2015. Today, there are nearly 40 kitchens nationwide, with ambitious goals to reach 200 locations in the next five years.
Jessi emphasizes that the best franchisees balance passion with profit. “It’s not enough to just love food or kids—you also need grit and a business mindset to succeed,” she said.
Pivoting with Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic tested every event-based business, but Taste Buds Kitchen adapted quickly. The team launched free online cooking clubs that attracted 25,000 kids nationwide, hosted virtual birthday parties and corporate events, and even delivered ingredient kits to keep families cooking together. These pivots not only kept the brand afloat but expanded its reach and relevance.
Creating Community, One Kitchen at a Time
For Jessi, Taste Buds Kitchen is about more than food—it’s about creating memories, building community, and helping entrepreneurs thrive. From families bonding over rainbow couscous salad to franchisees putting down roots in new cities, the impact of Taste Buds Kitchen goes far beyond the kitchen.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Just do the next right thing. Follow the opportunity in front of you, and don’t be afraid to take the leap.”
✨ Learn more at tastebudskitchen.com and explore franchise opportunities here.