From Potluck Dinner to Business: The Kenilworth Cookbook Club Success Story

When Allison McEntee moved to the suburbs of Chicago in 2017, she never imagined that hosting a casual, fun potluck dinner with dishes inspired from Ina Garten’s cookbook The Barefoot Contessa, to meet other moms would turn into a nationwide community of food lovers, event hosts, and brand partners. But with an entrepreneurial spirit, a love of connection, and a willingness to test and learn, Allison transformed a simple idea into something much bigger.

The “Aha!” Moment

The Kenilworth Cooking Club (KCC) began as an intimate gathering of eight people around a shared meal. Word spread quickly, and the group grew to 15-20 attendees meeting monthly in rotating homes. A self-proclaimed foodie, Allison soon realized she was onto something. Next, she introduced an annual ticketed “Ladies Night” event for 200+ women and she knew it was time to treat her passion project like a business.

After hosting the first Ladies Night, Allison formed an LLC to protect her family’s assets. She leaned into what she knew - brand partnerships, community engagement, and storytelling - and hired or asked for help when she needed to learn the rest. From contracts and service agreements to influencer marketing and e-commerce, Allison tapped into her network of friends, mentors, and contractors to fill the gaps.

“I’ve always been more entrepreneurial - less interested in climbing a corporate ladder and more excited about building from scratch,” she says. Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs, Allison was no stranger to forging her own path and the hustle mindset. She made smart investments on her tech stack - building a website on Wix, transitioning from personal Gmail threads to a newsletter via Mailchimp, and using Instagram to reach a wider audience. Her newsletter now boasts an average 70% open rate, and she’s growing nationally through a host program Ambassador program that empowers other community-minded women to run their own local KCC chapters.

Lessons in IP and Legal Know-How

One early hiccup taught Allison the value of protecting intellectual property. A logo she initially created with a friend - without a formal agreement - had to be redesigned later. It was an important lesson. “I wanted to ensure I had full ownership rights.” 

Balancing Passion with Practicality

As a wife, mother, and full-time sales executive, Allison understands the juggling act of running a business. While her full-time job is the priority, she’s proof that it’s possible to grow a meaningful side hustle on your own terms. Her story reminds us that you don’t need to go all-in from day one. It’s okay to start small, carve out time, and let your passion project evolve gradually. “Focus on your income-generating work first,” she advises. “Then nurture your creative pursuits when the time and energy allow.” For Allison, entrepreneurship is about curiosity, resourcefulness, a willingness to take risks, ask for help and learning along the way. “Don't wait for perfection. And most importantly, build a support system. Bring in people who are smarter than you in areas you’re less strong. Knowing where you need help is pivotal.” Her story is a reminder that big things can grow from simple beginnings like a potluck dinner among neighbors.

To learn more about the Kenilworth Cooking Club, follow Allison on Instagram @kenilworthcookingclub