Sarah Hehir - supporting business in Rochester West: Mud Pies



Sarah Hehir and sister Emily Sandford at Cocoa Bean Chocolates

My personal interest in encouraging small businesses comes from my own experience. I started my business, Cocoa Bean, eight years ago with a baby on one hip and what I thought was just a passion for chocolate and good food. It turns out that I had an entrepreneurial spirit not so far under the surface! A combination of drive, enthusiasm and targeted support means that our business is still part of a thriving artisan chocolate industry, employing more than 10 people and exporting our chocolate around the world. It's an achievement I am proud of. In Rochester West, despite a global recession, I see lots of individuals and bigger businesses starting up and thriving. The Deaf Cat Cafe and The Rochester Coffee Company on the High Street are just two examples of relatively new coffee shops that are independent and buzzing with local character.

Success is due to many factors but Cocoa Bean benefited hugely from schemes that offer financial support and training in those all important early days. Many of these schemes, courses and grants are run by local councils. I fear that under the Coalition we could lose these vital services as council funds are slashed. I am looking into innovative ways to provide this support because I worry that without start up support, the small businesses that become the backbone of our future communities, might never get off the ground.

Nicola Chard reading while the muffins cook

Local Mum, Nicola Chard, has launched her new business this month, Mud Pies! The classes currently run at Borstal Cleave Warne Hall , behind St. Matthew's Church, and are for preschoolers. Her youngest recruit is 19 months - catch them young and you might have a personal chef for life! If you want to get in touch with Nicola email cookmudpies@aol.com



Iris Hehir measuring flour

Iris and Elsie are at the Thursday afternoon class running until Christmas and are having a fabulous time. So far they have made healthy burgers, apricot biscuits and vegetable pasta bake. That is not all! They have also brought home pasta necklaces, laminated place mats decorated with their own food inspired designs and listened to a new favourite story, 'Burger Boy'. They have learnt stirring, measuring, grating, peeling, sieving, chopping, tasting and most fun of all, washing up!



Elsie Hehir masters the scales



There are spaces left on the Thursday morning class from 10-10.45 am and a few spaces on Thursday afternoon from 1.30 - 2.15pm. A new set of classes will run after Christmas. The Monday classes are also proving very popular. Children at the Pilgrim School will take part in a healthy eating Mud Pies course during this terms university week and after Christmas there is a Thursday after school club running for Reception and years 1 and 2. There is only one place left, so hurry if you think you might have a young Ramsay or Nigella!