Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Cahill.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alicia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The Kitchen Chick was hatched in 2012 by owner Alicia Cahill. A home cook, family birthday cake baker and self-proclaimed foodie, Alicia opened her shop and cooking school to share her love of all things culinary. She believes food conveys love, care and comfort, something everyone can use more of these days. Through classes and conversation, she hopes to inspire people to be fearless in the kitchen, to try new ingredients and techniques, to take the time to cook at home and most importantly, to have fun doing it!
The Kitchen Chick recently moved to a new location. The original shop was cozy and charming, but sadly too small for Alicia’s growing business. After a multi-year search, Alicia purchased a 1960 circa building on the corner of Market and 24th Streets in downtown Galveston, around the corner from the Tremont Hotel. After several months of work, the building has been transformed into a light and breezy, mid-century modern space that showcases a curated selection of quality kitchen goods, tools and equipment. The new kitchen classroom can easily accommodate 30 people for the island-famous cooking classes.
When Alicia isn’t manning the shop she loves to travel with her husband, chase after her dogs and check on her backyard flock of hens.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth is a relative term. I think every small business owner experiences feelings of heartbreak, euphoria, exhaustion and satisfaction – sometimes all in one day. What I’ve found is that hard work, passion and consistency have helped me become successful. I remind myself to revel in the tiny – a thoughtful comment from a shopper, greeting a loyal customer as they enter my shop, watching someone master a technique in a cooking class … those are moments when I know I made the right choice to open my own business. I still pinch myself some days, I am living my dream.
Please tell us about The Kitchen Chick.
No visit to downtown Galveston is complete without a trip to The Kitchen Chick. As soon as you cross the threshold, you’ll be whisked away into a chef’s paradise. From specialty brands including Le Creuset, Swiss Diamond, Mason Cash, Ruffoni, Wusthof and Shun, you will find everything you need plus some things you didn’t know you needed!
Whether you’re a cooking novice or seasoned pro, The Kitchen Chick is home to a collection of hand-selected cookware, tools and products – brands that built their reputation over decades and are known for their attention to detail, quality construction and outstanding performance.
We want you to experience personalized attention and enjoy our charming atmosphere, but most importantly, we want you to become inspired by the exceptional products lining our shelves and the classes we offer in our kitchen. They are there for you to help expand your culinary repertoire, to discover your next triumph, and for you ring the dinner bell and gather your loved ones to the table.
These days, Alicia is still dedicated to her original desire that The Kitchen Chick be a place where people can stand in the aisle to swap recipes, soak in some personal attention, revel in the vintage charm of the shopping environment she created, and learn the magic of cooking from a team of talented local chefs.
Inspired, creative and fun, our island famous cooking classes are designed to get you excited about food and cooking! Lead by our talented chefs, each class is a unique culinary adventure!
Some classes focus on a single ingredient, others help you master a specific technique and some whisk you away to enjoy the culture and cuisine of a far-off destination. Variety is the spice of life, and The Kitchen Chick’s class offerings change routinely. Cooking experience isn’t necessary at The Kitchen Chick, only a willingness to try new things and be open to learning from our experienced chefs. Can’t wait to get cooking with you!
When you take a cooking class at The Kitchen Chick, you can expect three things:
You will learn something new! Our chefs spill the beans and share their best tips and techniques while helping you acquire lifelong skills! You will have fun! As Julia Child said, “People who love to eat are always the very best people.” Come to class, meet fellow foodies and aficionados, and join our community! You will leave full! No two-bite tastings in our kitchen classroom! Full plates and full bellies guaranteed every time!
No skills? No problem! Our cooking classes are open to anyone who wants to learn. Our goal is to provide an inviting, comfortable environment where you can learn to cook different dishes, discover new cuisines, practice professional techniques and work with exciting ingredients. We want you to take home recipes and skills you can pass on for generations, and we want you to have fun while you’re here. After all, sharing our passion for cooking with you is why The Kitchen Chick was hatched!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was five or six years old my mom entered me in a costume contest at a mall near our house. I was Princess Leia and wore huge cinnamon bun-shaped earmuffs, some kind of lightsaber and shiny white patent boots. I don’t remember winning, but I do remember eating candy (which is kind of like winning to a six-year-old). 🙂 I think that’s the day my love of costumes began. I’ve always loved the feeling of mischief a disguise provides. I’m a founding member of the Krewe of Saints, a local Mardi Gras krewe here in Galveston, and dress to the nines every year for the parades.
Pricing:
- Cooking Classes for Adults and Children, $30-100/person
Contact Info:
- Address: 2402 Market Street, Galveston, TX 77550
- Website: www.thekitchenchick.com
- Phone: 4094972999
- Email: alicia@thekitchenchick.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thekitchenchick/
- Facebook: www.facebokk.com/kitchenchick
- Twitter: twitter.com/KitchenChickTx
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
