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 - 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!
DANIELLE WATLEY - CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Danielle is a native Texan and current graduate student at Texas Woman’s University in Denton. Raised in a home where cereal was the dinnertime staple, Danielle took it upon herself to begin experimenting in the kitchen at an early age.
When she’s not hitting the books, Danielle enjoys spending her time creating feel-good meals for family and friends.
Danielle happily calls Fort Worth home, where she lives with her husband, Brandon, and their two cats.
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.
LIZZI PRATHER - KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Lizzi was born and raised in the outskirts of Charlotte, North Carolina. As the oldest of five kids, she was frequently involved in helping prepare meals for the family. She also enjoyed experimenting with different recipes on her own and teaching her younger siblings creative dishes in the kitchen.
Her love of food evolved into a passion for nutrition! She received her B.S. in dietetics at the University of Tennessee and moved shortly after to the DFW area where she is a dietitian at a local hospital.
When she has the time, Lizzi enjoys trying out a new recipe or making one of her long-time favorites. She looks forward to serving you at your next class at The Cookery!
Kaylie McPherson - CLASS INSTRUCTOR & BARTENDER
Hailing from Odessa, Texas, Kaylie has been cooking since the age of three, helping her mom make healthy meals for her family. She found her way to Fort Worth by way of TCU where she received a Bachelors in Food Management. Upon graduation, she went on to expand her culinary knowledge at the Culinary institute of America in Napa Valley. Just last year, following in her Dietitian Mom’s footsteps, she also received her masters in nutrition.
After working in various restaurants in different countries, Kaylie decided she wanted to share her passion and knowledge with others. She has been a culinary high school teacher for 10 years! When she’s not teaching, she loves tennis, running, watching college football with her boyfriend, and all the reality TV! The king of reality TV, even Gordon Ramsay kissed her on the cheek!
Mary Tucker - CLASS INSTRUCTOR AND KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Hailing from Odessa, Texas, Kaylie has been cooking since the age of three, helping her mom make healthy meals for her family. She found her way to Fort Worth by way of TCU where she received a Bachelors in Food Management. Upon graduation, she went on to expand her culinary knowledge at the Culinary institute of America in Napa Valley. Just last year, following in her Dietitian Mom’s footsteps, she also received her masters in nutrition.
After working in various restaurants in different countries, Kaylie decided she wanted to share her passion and knowledge with others. She has been a culinary high school teacher for 10 years! When she’s not teaching, she loves tennis, running, watching college football with her boyfriend, and all the reality TV! The king of reality TV, even Gordon Ramsay kissed her on the cheek!
Cliff Radatovich - CLASS INSTRUCTOR AND KITCHEN ASSISTANT
An engineer by trade, Cliff loves to let his creative side shine in the kitchen. His passion for cooking was ignited in college, when he grew tired of frozen pizza and take-out. He discovered The Cookery when he and his wife attended the Best of Brunch class!
Raised in New Orleans, Cliff was surrounded by excellent food on every corner. He is a firm believer in the idea that good food is the greatest way to bring all different types of people together. He still enjoys making gumbo, jambalaya or etouffee for special occasions, but tries to focus on regularly making healthy food that tastes great.
When he’s not working (or reading a cookbook), Cliff enjoys outdoor activities with his wife, Michelle, and their son. They love to spend time in their garden, where they grow vegetables and herbs for Cliff to experiment with. He looks forward to having you join him for a class!
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!
