Couple opens Mesa cooking class studio

Mar. 23—Flour Power Cooking Studios has opened its 17th national franchise in Mesa.

The North Carolina-based community cooking concept at 1639 S. Stapley Drive "offers hands-on collaborative culinary experiences in its signature kitchens, encouraging a lifelong love for cooking that positively impacts the physical, mental, and social well-being of people of all ages."

Owned by Jamie and Michael Bialowitz, the Mesa franchise already has organized a growing calendar of adult, corporate and children's cooking lessons and other experiences.

It also meets state requirements to qualify as a certified homeschool curriculum in home economics.

The franchise works from 1,400 specially-curated and chef-inspired recipes for everything from confetti pancakes to cheeseburger sliders.

Each class participant receives a copy of the recipes and ingredients used in the class, so all participants can recreate and enjoy the meal again whenever they like.

"We are thrilled to expand the Flour Power Cooking Studios brand into the great state of Arizona," said Sarah Moritz, company president.

"Opening our doors in Mesa-Gilbert marks a significant milestone for our franchise, and we're honored to introduce our unique culinary experience to the Phoenix area and this growing community," she said.

The Bialowitzes have 30 years' experience and expertise in business development and human resources, and said they are excited about their new business.

"There is something for everyone to create, no matter your age or ability," Michael said. "Our kitchens are a space where creativity, imagination, and education blend together. Most importantly, we want our guests to smile and have fun."

The company says it is "a nut-free and shellfish-free studio" and can "accommodate many other allergies through substitution."

It offers individual classes, packs of classes and a membership rate that entitles members to discounts on classes.

When Susan Caldwell of Raleigh, North Carolina, founded the franchise in 2008, she initially called the brand Lil' Chef. It then became Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios before dropping the fun."

She had initially gained public attention when People magazine profiled her dramatic weight loss — she shed 123 pounds and dropped 14 dress sizes.

The company says it is "a nut-free and shellfish-free studio" and can "accommodate many other allergies through substitution."

It offers individual classes, packs of classes and a membership rate that entitles members to discounts on classes.

When Susan Caldwell of Raleigh, North Carolina, founded the franchise in 2008, she initially called the brand Lil' Chef.

It then became Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios before dropping the word "kids."

Caldwell became a personal trainer but said "People started hiring me to work with their children to help them be more physically fit.

She started a kid-oriented fitness program and to introduce healthy eating habits, she held kids' cooking workshops that soon became more popular than her exercise routines.

She expanded her cooking studios to eight states and then her company was acquired by Won Life Brands last August.

In interviews, Won Life President Sarah Moritz has said Flour Power isn't trying to be a professional cooking studio and that classes are meant to be casual and a means to teach people essential life skills.

Besides classes, Flour Power also offers special events like birthday parties, corporate outing events and gingerbread house decorating.

Information on the Mesa Flour Power: flourpowerstudios.com/mesa.