KELLY HUDDLESTON - FOUNDER
Passionate about cooking, entertaining and teaching, Kelly brings years of culinary experience to The Cookery. Previously, Kelly has worked as a professional cooking instructor for years, and has spanned the globe expanding her knowledge of different types of cuisines.
Destined for the culinary world, it was Kelly’s mother who ignited a passion for cooking in her daughter at a young age. Growing up, Kelly often helped her mom whip up exotic dishes for many dinner parties, including their annual Chinese New Year’s party, Hawaiian luau, and Norwegian feast for the local 4-H club. She credits her love of food, along with her keen understanding of experiencing the unique role cooking plays in different cultures, to her mom.
Ever the student herself, Kelly’s desire to further her knowledge and passion has led her around the globe studying cooking throughout Asia, North America, Europe, the Caribbean and Central America. From making fresh pasta in Italy, to roasting her own pig in Kauai and discovering the unique flavors of Thailand, she possesses a distinct understanding of the world’s most coveted cuisines. Additionally, Kelly’s travels equipped her with culinary skills and techniques bespoke to each destination. Over time, she couldn’t help but find that she was passionate about sharing her experience with others.
Kelly ultimately opened The Cookery as a place where friends and family could come together and make meaningful connections over great conversation and even better food.
KATIE DEAN - DFW MANAGER
Katie has had a love for food and cooking since she was a small child. She grew up baking with one grandmother who was a professional baker, specializing in ornately decorated wedding cakes, and her other grandmother who was a southern comfort and cajun food expert. Plus, her mother, who is an excellent home cook, prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day that was eaten together at the dinner table.
For the last 8 years, she has been working as a touring wardrobe supervisor for broadway shows and as a set costumer for tv shows and films but has always kept her love and passion for food. While traveling for work, she enjoyed trying local food spots and learning about different cuisines.
Since moving back to Texas, she has loved cooking with her boyfriend, Cody, and took a few classes at The Cookery to expand her knowledge and skills in the kitchen. And she loved it so much she decided to become an instructor herself!
BERNADETTE HUDSON - BARTENDER & KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Bernadette is a native New Mexican, and is an alumna of New Mexico State University where she graduated with a BFA degree.
As the oldest of 4 children, with both parents working, she began cooking at an early age. Her mother and grandmother were amazing cooks. Their tamales, tortillas, and green-chili posole were known by all. These two ladies were her teachers and responsible for her love of food and entertaining today.
Bernadette went on to pursue a career in the food industry where she managed, hired and trained the employees for a major restaurant company. She eventually landed in their corporate office taking what she learned in the field to the next level. From here she moved into the hospitality industry, managing the hiring function for a major hotel company and continued to learn about food, entertaining and customer service.
Today, she is enjoying partial retirement while continuing to explore her passion for food by joining the team at the Cookery!
STEPHANIE AVERY - CLASS INSTRUCTOR AND KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Stephanie was born and raised in Burleson, Texas. She is driven by her passions for cooking, photography, home improvement projects, and traveling. She grew up cooking in the kitchen with her Grandma Corky who taught her all about cooking and baking, and Stephanie considers herself a “forever student”, eager to further her culinary skills.
She loves to talk about her animals (5 dogs, 1 cat, and a bearded dragon), her travels, and really anything else! Steph can’t wait to hear about all your pets, the places you love, and your cooking experiences when you take a class with her at The Cookery!
DANIELLE WATLEY - CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Raised in a home where cereal was a dinnertime staple, Danielle took it upon herself to begin experimenting in the kitchen at an early age. She has a passion for food and the joy of sharing home cooked meals with friends and family.
Never able to sit still for long, Danielle also works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist where her passion for food translates to improving the lives of children and their families through treatment of a variety of feeding and swallowing disorders.
She is looking forward to cooking with you soon!
KAYELA DENISON - CLASS INSTRUCTOR AND KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Kayela has always been very passionate about food and loves trying anything and everything new! She found The Cookery when she and her boyfriend Patrick took our Bahn Thai class to learn how to use some of the ingredients and flavors they enjoy when they go out to eat.
When she isn’t at work or deciding what new cuisine to try, Kayela is a student at TCC studying Sign Language Interpretation. She also enjoys movies and musicals, and you might even find her tending to the animals on her dad’s farm from time to time — be sure to ask her about the donkeys!
Kayela has lived in Fort Worth all her life and continues to call it home with Patrick and their two cats.
CHRISTINA LOTT - CLASS INSTRUCTOR AND KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Christina is a self-taught culinary foodie whose journey in the kitchen began long before the pots and pans beckoned. Her culinary voyage began with an enriching internship under a local chef, whose prowess extended to the exciting world of TV with Food Network challenges and My Fair Wedding.
Christina has an unwavering passion for food, and an insatiable appetite for spreading that love to others. She aims to bring a unique blend of skill, innovation, and a dash of hometown flair to every dish she crafts. From mastering the delicate art of plating to infusing dishes with vibrant flavors from around the globe.
Beyond the kitchen, she enjoys Pilates and spending time with family and friends. Her adventurous spirit finds so much joy in traveling and exploring new cities while forging connections with kindred spirits.
Christina finds true fulfillment in sharing her passion for cooking with others. She hopes you will join her on a gastronomic journey like no other at The Cookery, where every bite tells a story, and every meal is an invitation to savor the joy of cooking.
JOVIE TRAN - CLASS INSTRUCTOR AND KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Jovie was born in Mississippi. She had the privilege of growing up with both parents cooking in the household. Her mother was a master of French cuisines and her father is an expert in Vietnamese cuisine. Her love for food deepened in high school after discovering her family’s health benefited from switching to a wholesome home cooked diet.
She pursued her culinary dreams by earning a degree in Culinary Art from Dallas College-El Centro. For her internship,she worked as a saucier at Wolfgang Puck’s Catering Company in Dallas, where she honed her skills and learned the intricacies of global sauces. A highlight of Jovie’s day was when she went home and her dog would lick all the sauces that evidently splashed into her clothes.
When she is not teaching at The Cookery, she is at Texas Woman’s University finishing her Bachelor’s in Culinary Science. Jovie is excited to share her knowledge and empower others to enhance their health through each recipe and cooking experience.
BRENNA CURTIS - KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Growing up with a family that frequently hosted dinner parties and get-togethers for friends, family, and coworkers, it’s no wonder that Brenna loves cooking and sharing meals with others. When her friend Kayela invited her to take a class at the Cookery, she fell in love with the atmosphere and joined the team!
Brenna loves traveling, ice cream, audiobooks, animals of all shapes and sizes (but especially cats), and all things rocks. She is currently a student at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she studies Geology.
