Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlena Strode.
Hi Arlena, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Chef Arlena is also the author of a series of children’s books focused on influential figures in culinary history, including The Emperor of Chefs: The Story of G. Auguste Escoffier and Food Bridges: The Story of Leah Chase. Her work combines storytelling, food history, STEM learning, and cooking activities to make culinary education engaging and accessible for children and families. Educators and parents have praised her programs for encouraging confidence, teamwork, and curiosity in young learners.
Chef Arlena is also the author of a series of children’s books focused on influential figures in culinary history, including The Emperor of Chefs: The Story of G. Auguste Escoffier and Food Bridges: The Story of Leah Chase. Her work combines storytelling, food history, STEM learning, and cooking activities to make culinary education engaging and accessible for children and families. Educators and parents have praised her programs for encouraging confidence, teamwork, and curiosity in young learners.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Chef Arlena has been a military spouse for the last 32 years. Being a military spouse presents unique challenges, particularly for those in culinary professions. Constant relocations, a hallmark of military life, can disrupt the professional trajectories of chefs who must repeatedly earn kitchen positions in new locations. Each move requires them to rebuild their reputation, adapt to different culinary cultures, and re-establish relationships within local food communities. This cycle of starting anew can be exhausting and disheartening, as it often involves competing for positions against established locals and proving one’s skills time and again. Additionally, the stressful nature of frequent relocations can impact personal well-being, making it difficult to maintain the creative passion required in a demanding culinary career. Despite these hurdles, military spouses demonstrate resilience and adaptability, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation in their cooking.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
A graduate of the International Culinary School in 1996, Chef Arlena has explored the globe, immersing herself in diverse food and cultures during her decade-long stay in Europe. This experience enabled her to pursue professional development courses in Paris at Le Cordon Bleu and other esteemed culinary institutions.
Throughout her husband’s military career, Chef Arlena taught cooking classes wherever they were stationed. As the author of a widely used curriculum taught across the country, she has always dreamed of establishing her own cooking school in a picturesque location. Now, with the opportunity to settle down in downtown Pittsboro, she is excited to finally put down roots and pursue her passion.
Chef Arlena is an avid enthusiast of culinary history, and during the COVID lockdowns, she dedicated her time to writing and publishing five biographies of the historical chefs who have inspired her most. She then expanded her work with three “teach yourself to cook at home” books, along with a few coloring books designed for her youngest students learning in the kitchen.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love seeing small humans doing big things. When they realize they are capable and good at something usually trusted to only adults, their confidence soars. In a world where we say things to kids like : “YOU SHOULD EAT THIS” or “YOU SHOULD’NT DO THAT” without giving them the skills and tools to do so – I like being a part of the solution! I like giving them the “HOW”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CCIchefarlena.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childrensculinaryinstitute/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551593799939
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlena-strode-6580a677/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@childrensculinaryinstitute
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/childrensculinaryinstitute/
