Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah & Jim Gagliardi.
Hi Sarah & Jim, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
We’ve called Austin home since 2013, and from the start, we knew we wanted to build something meaningful here—something that combined our love of food, family, and community. Austin’s vibrant local energy and foodie culture were a huge inspiration. We wanted to share the lifelong skill of cooking—not just with our own kids, but with children and families across the city.
My love for cooking and food started early, inspired by the rich blend of Mexican and Basque cuisine in Northern Nevada, my grandmother’s Northern California-style cooking, and my dad—a cattle rancher who believed in doing everything from scratch. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of weekend mornings spent making sourdough pancakes together or cooking freshly caught rainbow trout over a hot cast-iron skillet. That spark for simple, homegrown cooking stayed with me. Jim, originally from Minnesota, brought a strong business, entrepreneurial, and creative background to the mix, and together we realized we could blend our passions in a truly meaningful way.
That journey led us to discover Young Chefs Academy, a Texas-based franchise whose mission perfectly matched our vision: teaching kids the joy and value of cooking in a fun, hands-on way. In 2024, we became the owners of Young Chefs Academy of San Antonio, and shortly after, we opened our Austin Southwest location.
Whether during weekly classes, seasonal camps, birthday parties, or workshops, watching our students gain confidence, independence, and pride in what they create is incredibly rewarding.
We’re thrilled to welcome Austin families into our kitchens at the Oak Hill Shopping Centre, where every class is about more than just cooking—it’s about inspiring creativity, confidence, and connection.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While we’ve received so much enthusiasm and support from the community, one of our biggest challenges is simply getting the word out about who we are and what we do. Many people initially mistake us for the in-school or after-school programs they’ve seen—programs parents often tell us don’t really teach kids how to cook. But what we offer is completely different.
We’re not a mobile program. We operate two fully equipped, residential-style kitchen classrooms designed to teach true culinary skills to students as young as age four. At the earliest levels, our young chefs learn how to safely hold a knife, work around a stove, and use math and science to perfect their recipes.
Our KinderCooks might explore the science of whipped cream, discover why an egg wash gives hand pies their golden glow, or roll dough for the first time. As students advance, they take on more complex challenges—like mastering an oblique carrot cut or creating homemade English muffins and omelets (perfect for mom’s birthday breakfast!).
It’s incredibly rewarding to watch our students grow from curious beginners into confident young chefs who can proudly say, “I made this myself.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Jim and I bring very different but complementary backgrounds to Young Chefs Academy. I have an MBA and a professional foundation in process improvement, but my career actually began as a pre-K teacher — so teaching and creating joyful learning environments have always been close to my heart. Jim also holds an MBA and brings a blend of technology, business, and creative expertise. He currently serves as the Chief Product Officer at LINQ, a company that develops software solutions for school districts nationwide, helping educators and administrators streamline operations and improve student services.
Together, we apply all of our experience to Young Chefs Academy, where our mission goes far beyond teaching kids how to cook. We’re passionate about creating meaningful connections with our students and families. Every young chef who walks through our doors is treated like family, and our goal is for each one to leave class feeling proud, confident, and like their time with us was the highlight of their day.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve always believed that luck comes in many forms. When my dad — the person who first inspired my love of cooking — passed away in 2021, it was a difficult loss, but his influence continues to guide me every day. Taking on this business became a way to honor that inspiration and carry forward the values he instilled in me: hard work, creativity, and the joy of making something from scratch.
Beyond that, we feel incredibly lucky to have found such an amazing, supportive community here in Austin. Since moving from Minnesota in 2013, we’ve been surrounded by people who have encouraged us, celebrated with us, and believed in our mission. That kind of good fortune — being part of a community that genuinely wants to see you succeed — has made all the difference.
Pricing:
- Monthly Master Chef Memberships: Starting at $189
- School Break Camps: Starting at $350
- Birthday Parties: Starting at $380
- Free first class! Promo Code FIRST1FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austinswtx.youngchefsacademy.com/
- Instagram: youngchefsacademy.austinswtx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungChefsAcademySWAustin
