An ex-professional dancer has opened a family-run café, The Knockout Kitchen, in the heart of Clermiston after building a new career in food and fitness.
Lana Benson, 28, from Clermiston, hung up the pointe shoes and picked up the spatula to launch her first café. Having danced professionally and taught dance to young children, Lana never dreamed that she would move from one career she adored to another.
Several years ago, her brother and ex-professional boxer, Lewis Benson, launched Knockout Meals as a meal preparation business that helped people maintain a nutritious and balanced diet at home. Sister Lana, who always held a passion for cooking, became head chef at the family run company.
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But the enterprise has gone from strength to strength and Lana has now taken over a café unit that used to belong to the well-loved Jill’s Deli. She says that she wants to follow in the footsteps of Jill by delivering for the north Edinburgh community.
On opening the café on Saturday, September 24, she said: “I used to be a professional dancer before becoming a dance teacher. I got to share my love of dance and knowledge with children and this is a part of my life I will never forget.
“But I never thought it was possible in life to make a living out of something I loved, let alone getting the opportunity to do it twice. It has been amazing to chase my passion for cooking and open a family business working in meal preparation.
“I am the head chef at Knockout Meals. Our company was founded and created by my brother Lewis Benson, an ex-professional boxer. He gave me the opportunity to fulfil a love of fitness and fuel and to provide everyone with the correct nutrients for a balanced diet.
“At the new café we offer all your traditional favourites but with a real feel good homemade product for our clients. We provide breakfast and lunchtime staples such as toasties and paninis with tasty fillings.
“We also have main events that pack a real punch and tickle the taste buds. Within our menu, we provide tea, specialty coffees and smoothies.
“There truly is something for everyone.”
Lana adds that all of the recipes on the menu are homemade and that some of them have been passed down the generations. This makes the business extra special to her.
She says that the family-run company approaches everything with a passion and drive as they want to make their local community proud. On how it feels to finally have the café up and running, she said: “I was so lucky in my journey, I took over a current café unit that was Jill’s Deli.
“Jill has the most beautiful soul that captured our local community and she made everyone here so proud during the lockdown. She knew instantly that she only wanted the café to come to me.
“She saw something in me and knew it was going to be in good hands, so I am forever grateful to her. The support has been overwhelming; I never thought my dream could turn into a reality.
“Everyone’s support in making me reach my full potential is truly heartwarming. Without my big brother Lewis, none of this would have been possible and for him to continue to invest in me makes me feel like I am the luckiest human on earth.
“I sit in the café every day and look over to Clermiston primary school and it brings back all my memories of my childhood. To have this in the area, I was brought up in makes it all the more special.
“I still get goosebumps to see what we have achieved. I’d like to say a massive thank you for everyone’s support and I welcome everyone through our doors.
“It’s turned into a special community café. I have the school children coming here from Royal High and knowing they are getting good food is also the best feeling.”
Lana hopes to expand The Knockout Kitchen to new areas in the capital as they continue to taste success and also aims to grow the already successful meal preparation company Knockout Meals in the imminent future.
Anyone wishing to visit the café can do so at 27 Parkgrove Street or can follow the business on Instagram here.
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