Today we’d like to introduce you to Josie McKinney.
Hi Josie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Josie McKinney – Chef, Author, and Culinary Storyteller
Josie McKinney is a classically trained chef, restaurateur, and author who has dedicated her career to celebrating food as both a cultural and personal journey. Originally from Alaska, where she owned and ran a bed-and-breakfast and a cooking school, Josie developed a deep love for hospitality, teaching, and creating dishes that connect people to place.
After years in Alaska, Josie and her family relocated to Central Texas, drawn by the Hill Country’s warmth, vibrant food scene, and strong sense of community. She enrolled at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin, where she specialized in farm-to-table cooking, served as Garden Club President, and graduated at the top of her class—embarking on what she describes as her “second life” in food.
In Texas, Josie founded Let’s Eat Texas, a restaurant concept that celebrates the rich and diverse culinary traditions of the state. Her current major project is a cookbook that traces the cultural tapestry of Texas cuisine, from Native American and Spanish foundations to Mexican, African, German, Czech, and other European influences. With meticulous research and storytelling, she highlights how each culture introduced new ingredients, methods (like smoking and preservation), and recipes that shaped what we know as Texas food today.
Beyond her professional work, Josie is a creative writer, collaborating with her husband Mark on multiple fiction series, including The Leprechaun Chronicles and Almar’s Quest. She is deeply community-oriented, weaving her Texas experiences and local stories into both her culinary and literary projects.
Josie’s work stands at the intersection of history, culture, and cuisine. Whether through recipes, storytelling, or teaching, she continues to bring people together with food, honoring traditions while exploring new frontiers.
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?
Pitfalls, road blocks and hurdles litter the road map of my life. Moving to Texas and opening Let’s Eat Texas was no different. I spent 11 months wearing construction clothes, completely restoring our historic building. The excitement of finally opening was quickly shattered as Covid hit. It took everything I had to keep the lights on and keep the business afloat through that difficult time. Also, being part of a historic downtown revitalation has taken a lot of work. I often say some days it’s two steps forward and one step back and other days, it’s one step forward and two steps back. However, being from Alaska, I’m no quitter.
I’m very proud of what I’ve built. I’m proud to support the local producers, ranchers, and farmers. And I’m proud of being part of historic downtown.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Starting out in Texas, my focus was to design and operate an open kitchen restaurant and continuing to teach cooking classes. When Covid hit, I had to pivot and create a lot of other aspects to my business that hadn’t been part of my original plan. We now own a catering van and cater all over Central Texas. While I am most proud of our farm to table philosophy, teaching people how to cook fresh healthy meals also drives me. Partnering with a local hospital I’ve been teaching a healthy cooking series quarterly. I love working in the community. Feeding and teaching people is a true passion.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Get to know your area! Find local farmers and producers and buy local. Find the hidden gems that are our small businesses and support them. Educate yourself about food and the bounty that is Texas. Your health and the health of our Texas economy will benefit from it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.letseattexas.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FYasKZTev/?mibextid=wwXIfr
