MEMBER STORIES

Lior's Kitchen: where sustainable practice meets passionate cooking

Grow London LocalMatching London small businesses to support

Posted: Tue 30th Dec 2025

Lior's Kitchen was born in 2017, inspired by loyal clients at the deli where Lior Berman worked who encouraged her to take the leap into independence. What began as private cooking soon blossomed into a thriving business.

Here, Lior tells us about the journey her business has taken so far, the challenges she faced as a new entrepreneur and how Grow London Local helped her access marketing skills training to support her growth.

Tell us a bit about how your business began.

Food is my passion. It's even on my business card: "Passion is my secret ingredient". I grew up in an eco-friendly, sustainability-focused environment, so respecting nature and understanding plants and herbs is part of who I am.

I started my career cooking for a deli in South London that focused on reducing food waste. Each morning, they set aside unsellable fruit and vegetables, which I used to create dishes we could sell.

It avoided waste, generated profit and introduced more people to my cooking. Over time, customers asked me to cook privately for them, and I built a loyal client base. Eventually, I left the deli to focus entirely on my business.

What have been the biggest challenges you've faced since starting your business?

Time management and trusting others to uphold my standards. I prefer small, organic growth because it's very difficult to hand over responsibility when clients come to me for something very specific.

Another challenge is taking on jobs outside my comfort zone. For example, I once delivered meals across London for a new mother even though it wasn't ideal, but I did it because she needed it. She was so happy, and her recommendations brought me new clients.

Running a business involves many small challenges, so I try to trust my instincts and stay aware of what's manageable.

Do you have any practical time management advice for other small business owners?

Stay organised and write things down, rather than relying entirely on your phone. A notebook makes information visual and easier to remember. If it isn't written down, it likely won't happen.

Can you describe what your business looks like today?

I now focus exclusively on private cooking for families. I offer weekly meal prep, spending three hours in a client's home cooking meals for the week ahead.

This reduces food waste, saves time, keeps clients on budget and supports dietary needs like keto, gluten-free or high-protein plans. I also cater to parties and supply a range of dips to local delis in South London.

How did you first hear about Grow London Local and how have we supported you?

I came across it at a post office, which I almost never visit, and it felt like a sign. After contacting Grow London Local, I learned about the various courses, Coffee Friday meetups and networking events.

The Digital Bootcamp course with Fareport Training was incredible. It gave me essential digital marketing knowledge and skills in Instagram, advertising, branding and business planning. It helped me communicate more professionally and understand how to value my service properly.

Knowledge is power – even if you eventually outsource tasks, you need to understand what's involved, who to ask and how to communicate effectively. This course gave me exactly that.

What impact did Grow London Local have on your business?

I'd just finished the course when the story about me campaigning to save Marlene Anderson's grapefruit tree went viral. Suddenly, journalists were contacting me. Thanks to the course, I learned how to speak about my brand and present myself.

It also gave me confidence to set prices based on the quality of my service, rather than reducing them out of fear. Early on, when a new client asked how much I charged, my instinct was to reduce the price.

Part of the course with Fareport Training emphasised pricing based on the quality of the service – that advice is tattooed in my brain. This is what I do: if you contact me, this is the price.

Would you recommend Grow London Local to other businesses?

Absolutely. I've already recommended it to many people, and several have told me how helpful it's been.

Networking mornings are especially valuable. There's always at least one contact worth keeping.

Through these events, I've formed collaborations, including a Women's Wellness evening attended by 50 women.

As your business evolves, what have you learnt?

Flexibility is important. My business has taken different forms and directions and I've tried various services.

The key is staying aware of your abilities and not trying to do everything at once. You also need balance – for rest, creativity and keeping up with the market.

What's next for your business?

There's interest in opening a dark kitchen for meal delivery, but I want to ensure it aligns with my sustainability values.

I'm also considering selling recipes and products online such as ingredients, spice mixes and items I already use and recommend. It could create a small passive income stream. Many people have encouraged me to do it.

What advice would you give someone who hasn't started their business yet?

Write things down and create a clear vision of what you want. Be prepared for different scenarios but stay true to what makes you happy.

Timing matters. Wait until you're ready so you can deliver professionally. Not everything is worth saying yes to. You need to protect your time, know your limits and remember you are still a person, not just a business.

Also, don't leave the house without a business card. A simple card or QR code can turn a casual conversation into a real business opportunity.

Book a free consultation with a Business Support Manager

Need help finding support for your business? Our Business Support Managers are here to help. Fill in a short form and we'll get back to you within two working days. Arrange your consultation now