About
Meet Alessandra - The Heart Behind The Game Changer Kitchen
Hello! I'm Alessandra, a proud mum of three beautiful children. My second child, Demi-Leigh, was born at home in January 2021 during lockdown – a true adventure with no midwives present! I also have a lively 6-year-old boy who keeps me on my toes and my youngest is 4 months.
My Journey to The Game Changer Kitchen
From the age of 17 to 27, I worked the typical 9-5 grind, moving from Milton Keynes to London, then Spain, and back again. Despite the travel, I felt unfulfilled, often listening to motivational podcasts to get through the day. After a decade in the office, I decided to go part-time and pursue my passion for nutrition, studying on my days off. My partner Jake, a personal trainer, and I dreamed of creating something together.
In 2018, we found out we were expecting. Trusting my intuition, I delayed telling my boss until I legally had to. Unfortunately, the day after I informed him, I was let go. At 25 weeks pregnant, finding a new job was tough, but my dad offered me a few hours at his coffee shop, which helped me stay afloat.
Jake encouraged me to start cooking healthy meals for his clients. What began as a small venture quickly grew into a thriving business, producing nearly 500 meals weekly with the help of a chef and kitchen assistant.
From Kitchen to Coffee Shop
In November 2019, we took over the café inside Fitness First. Despite the challenges of lockdown, we adapted by offering afternoon tea and treat boxes, even launching a coffee and cake trailer to keep going. After saving up, we searched for two adjacent units for Jake's gym and my café. It took six months of perseverance, but we finally found the perfect spot.
We managed to open Jake's gym in two weeks and the café in four, pushing through financial constraints and personal sacrifices. Fast forward a year, we expanded into the next-door unit, doubling our space and enhancing our offerings. The new Game Changer Kitchen is a dream come true, we even have a kids play corner making it more family-friendly.
A Labor of Love
Running the café has been a relentless but rewarding journey. Balancing motherhood with managing the business is challenging, but I’m incredibly thankful for our loyal customers and amazing team. We’re constantly learning and striving to improve every day.
The Game Changer Kitchen is my fourth baby, a place where everything is made fresh daily, from our cakes to our hollandaise sauce. We pride ourselves on serving fresh, not fast, food, paired with excellent coffee from local roasters, Doe & Fawn.
Thank you for supporting us, and I can’t wait to welcome you soon!