Chef Tess Bakeresse

I am a real mom and chef. Tess is my nickname. It was given to me by a mother who loved to cook and passed it on to a daughter who became a full time food artist! I am a graduate of Scottsdale Culinary Institute, Scottsdale Arizona as of fifteen years, and a good ol' American gal! Originally I worked as a pastry chef at the Phoenician Resort and then as an assistant banquet chef at another Arizona resort. I worked in several capacities including line cook, baker,and vegetable/fruit display artist. When my first son arrived I put my full attention on my new baby, but soon realized that I am one of the worst cases of "Social Butterfly" out there. I was off to the library, absorbing all I could on the food world. I added book after book to the learning I had already received at culinary school. I have enjoyed the benefits of being a full time mother for the last 11 years. Practical everyday cooking has become a way of life! I learned how to plant a grocery garden and worked as a superintendent of an organic tomato farm. I have used my skills to fine tune my family's budget. I focused on health and nutrition, whole grain cookery, and making those things taste wonderful! In that time, I put aside my full time work in the restaurant industry, but used my creative mind, desire to learn, and my heart to create wonderful cooking classes and outstandingly fun hands on seminars. I have been teaching food seminars for the last 6 years. I love to see the sparkle in a student's eyes when they finally grasp a concept! Many of my students have gone on to become wonderful chefs. Imagine my joy in seeing them find their inner artist and find a new talent they never knew they had! I hope you will enjoy your visit! Join our group and stay a while! Please be advised, I am a real gal. I am practical and down-to-earth . I am also organized, happy, light hearted, open, and find it easy to love everyone I meet. If you are expecting anything more than a person, you will be disappointed. I make mistakes, I cook from a box sometimes. I am as real as it gets. When I don't know something, I will tell you! If you will join me on a journey of learning, we will both become our best selves. That being said, I hope that you feel welcome to visit me anytime! If you would like to join our group, feel free to send me an email: chef-tess@hotmail.com.