Lara Allegra always dreamed of running her own cake business. With a love for baking and a creative eye for design, she started Allegra’s Artisan Cakes to share her unique creations with more people, but building a food brand in Australia is not easy, especially if you are just getting started.
Instead of opening a full shop, Lara chose a smarter and more flexible path: partnering with ChefCollective.
The Challenge
Starting a food business comes with lots of challenges. For Lara, the biggest ones were cost and commitment. Renting a shop or building a full commercial kitchen would have been expensive and time-consuming. She also did not want to lock herself into a single menu or concept right away.
“In the beginning, opening a full storefront felt like too much,” she says. “I wanted to grow, but I needed more flexibility.”
She also had ideas for more than one brand, but building and testing different products in a regular kitchen setup just was not realistic.
The Solution
ChefCollective offered a better way. Our kitchen rental model allowed Lara to move in quickly and start operating her business without the high upfront costs. Everything she needed, including the equipment, workspace, and support, was provided. It was all set up and ready to go.
“My experience with ChefCollective has been incredibly positive,” Lara shares. “The setup was smooth, and their dark kitchen model gave me the freedom to try different menus, find my ideal customers, and make changes as I grew.”
Because she did not need to run a front-of-house team or worry about managing a traditional restaurant, Lara had more time and energy to focus on what mattered most, her cakes and her brand.
The Results
Since joining ChefCollective, Lara has made incredible progress. One of her biggest achievements has been launching multiple cake brands from the same kitchen. This allowed her to reach different types of customers and explore different styles of baking. All this under one roof.
“I’m now able to run several cake brands for different audiences,” she says. “It has helped me grow in ways I never expected.”
Lara also appreciates the friendly environment and the support she receives from the ChefCollective team.
“It is not just about the space. There is a real sense of community here, and the team is always ready to help,” she says. “Being surrounded by other food entrepreneurs is really inspiring.”
Looking Ahead
Today, Allegra’s Artisan Cakes is thriving, and Lara is not slowing down. With the freedom to experiment and expand, she is reaching more customers and building her brand at her own pace.
For new business owners looking for a smart way to grow, Lara’s advice is simple: “If you are just starting out, this is the perfect place to be.”
Thinking about starting your own food business? Here is how to start a cloud kitchen in Australia and get the support you need from day one.
