After three decades of working in public schools as a teacher and administrator in the Fort Worth community, Holly took a leap into postsecondary education, from children to adults.

Though she did not grow up in Fort Worth, she and her husband Mike have called it home for thirty years and raised all three of their children here. She reads to learn and to dream. She is a collector of stories and is passionate about hearing the stories of the people she meets every day. She lives the truth that you are never too old to change your story, to live a better story, and to learn something new along the way.

Michele has lived all over the country, but she has lived in Fort Worth for 18 years and worked in administration for 30 years. She is active in her church: singing in the choir and mentoring ladies. In her free time she loves baking, making greeting cards, sewing and traveling with her husband Al. They have one daughter and a son-in-law.

Cristina Tapia was born and raised in Fort Worth. Her involvement in the Culinary Program at Green B. Trimble Technical High School guided her to pursue the food service industry. With the help of the Texas Restaurant Association(s) and the Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival scholarships, she was able to attend the University of Houston. In 2021 she received her bachelor’s degree in Restaurant Management with Magna Cum Laude honors. She enjoys cooking cultured Mexican food from Guanajuato and learning something new every day.

Taylor Nevitt is a Fort Worth native and alumni of The Culinary School of Fort Worth.  She has always had a passion for cooking. In high school and while attending CSFTW, she worked as an instructor at Young Chef’s Academy. She’s also previously worked as a cook for a Fort Worth country club, as a preschool teacher, and as an assistant manager for an ice cream shop. Currently, she works for Just Encased Food Truck and has for five years. Taylor’s very excited to be back at CSFTW to help the students have the best learning experience possible.

Chef Jason Avelson attended Tarleton State University and received his Bachelors of Applied Arts and Sciences with focuses in Education, Nutrition, and Business. He is a veteran of the Armed Forces and graduated at the top of his class from The Culinary School of Fort Worth. Chef Avelson specializes in student focused learning and southern comfort classics. Chef Avelson is a Certified Chef de Cuisine® and Certified Culinary Educator®.