Today we’d like to introduce you to Alona Kamenkova.
Hi Alona, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, my name is Alona and I’m the owner of Alona’s Food Affair here in Orlando.
Cooking has always been a big part of my life. I’ve always loved being in the kitchen, experimenting with recipes, and bringing people together through food. At the same time, I’ve always loved working with children. So one day I realized — why not combine those two passions?
That’s how Alona’s Food Affair started.
This studio is a place where kids don’t just watch cooking — they actually cook. Each child has their own station where they can mix, measure, roll dough, and create their own dish from scratch.
For me, this is about much more than just food. Cooking is a life skill. When kids learn how to cook, they gain confidence, independence, and creativity. They start understanding ingredients, exploring flavors, and they feel incredibly proud when they make something themselves.
I’ve worked with kids as young as two years old, and it’s amazing to see how capable they are when you give them the opportunity.
My goal here is to create a space where kids can learn real skills, have fun, and make memories — while discovering the joy of cooking.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges as a new business owner was finding the right space. For the first three years, I was running only mobile cooking classes and traveling to families, schools, and events. When I decided to open a physical studio, it was not easy to find a place as a first-time renter. I’m incredibly thankful to Curry Ford West for trusting me and believing in my vision. They really welcomed me, and now I truly feel like I’m part of the Curry Ford family.
After finding the space, the next challenge began — letting people know that we exist. Even now, spreading the word about what we do is an ongoing effort. I’m sure there are many families in Orlando who would love what we offer but simply don’t know about us yet.
Building awareness takes time, but every new family that walks into the studio reminds me why I started this journey. Seeing kids gain confidence, learn real life skills, and discover the joy of cooking makes every challenge along the way worth it.
We’ve been impressed with Alonasfoodaffair, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Alona’s Food Affair, LLC is a hands-on cooking studio in Orlando focused on teaching kids and families how to cook from scratch in a fun, creative, and confidence-building environment. What makes our studio special is that children don’t just watch — they cook. Every child has their own station where they measure, mix, roll dough, and create their own dishes.
The idea started from two things I’ve always loved: cooking and working with children. For several years I ran mobile cooking classes, bringing the experience directly to schools, camps, and private events. Opening my studio was the next step in growing that dream and creating a space where kids can learn real life skills through food.
At Alona’s Food Affair we offer cooking classes for kids, homeschool groups, birthday parties, seasonal camps, family cooking experiences, and special events like Parents’ Night Out. Our camps and classes often explore different cultures through food, helping children discover new flavors while building independence and confidence in the kitchen.
What truly sets us apart is the hands-on experience. Kids are not standing around watching a demonstration — they are actively cooking. When children make something themselves, they feel proud, excited, and more willing to try new foods. Cooking becomes more than just preparing a meal; it becomes a life skill they carry with them.
As a small business owner, one of the biggest challenges has been simply spreading the word and letting families know we exist. But seeing children gain confidence, creativity, and joy through cooking makes every step of the journey worth it.
What I am most proud of is creating a space where kids feel capable, creative, and proud of what they make. My goal is for every child who walks into the studio to leave believing, “I made this myself.”
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is creating experiences that bring people together. Cooking has always been something I love, and sharing that passion with children and families makes it even more meaningful. Seeing kids become confident when they make something with their own hands and watching their excitement when they taste what they created is incredibly rewarding. It makes me happy to know that I’m not just teaching recipes, but also helping children learn life skills, creativity, and independence.
I’m also happiest when I see families connecting, laughing, and making memories together through food. Those small moments of joy remind me why I started my business and motivate me to keep growing and sharing what I love.
Pricing:
- Toddler / Little Chefs classes: $35 per child
- Kids cooking classes: starting at $55 per child (hands-on cooking from scratch)
- Parents Night Out (3-hour drop-off event): $65 per child
- Birthday cooking parties: starting at $350
- Summer & holiday cooking camps: starting at $115 per day or $595 per week
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alonasfoodaffair.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alonasfoodaffair_kids
