The Woodlands, TX
About Us
At Young Chefs® Academy, our mission is to make a positive lasting impact on children and families through teaching the joy and value of cooking in a welcoming environment that encourages discovery and creativity.
Rated 4.7 on Google (1,359 Reviews)
Franchise Owner
Chris McKelvey has always been in the business of helping others. A Paramedic for 4 years and a Juvenile Detention Officer for 6, he knew a long time ago that whatever his career was, it needed to be helping others. “We teach fun, the lifelong skills are a gift with purchase. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, and I’m privileged to be able to share that and instruct kids.” For the last 16 years Elizabeth McKelvey has been using ballroom dancing to make a difference in people’s lives. She served as director of a non profit organization that provided after school ballroom dance programs to underprivileged and at risk kids. Through the pandemic knew that she wanted to continue teaching skill sets to kids when she found Young Chefs Academy. “It combines our passion to teach social skill sets to kids while helping others in the heart of the home. What could be better?”
Founder & CEO
Founder and CEO, Julie Burleson, established Young Chefs® Academy in 2003 with the vision of cultivating/serving children’s strong interest in the culinary arts. It has grown with locations throughout the US to be a welcoming environment that provides a “real” setting so that the students can take what they learn at YCA™ to their own homes.
“The kitchen is the pulse of the home… where we learn about life and each other,” says Burleson. “Young Chefs Academy nourishes those values and gives kids an innovative environment to learn and thrive. In this busy world, what could be better?”
Over the years our franchisees has been showcased across some of the largest networks, which is a testament to our values and community activities.