Saturday Business Feature: Local Cookery
Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in the area?
Originally from Mexico City, Ana Arroyo studied the career of hospitality and gastronomy in addition to a master’s degree in education. Worked as Director of Public Relations at the Radio and Television Chamber of Mexico later began to teach gastronomy, table manners, table settings, waiters training in different universities and colleges of Mexico City. Moved to Kingwood Tx in 2014. In 2019 opened Local Cookery a cooking school.
Tell us about your business
Local Cookery is a home-based business focused on culinary experiences. We teach the youngest of the house to know how to read recipes and cook from scratch. We certainly have activities for friends, girls’ nights out, couples, birthday parties, anniversaries, and charcuterie workshops for all ages.
We also have appetizer catering, the most famous of are our spectacular charcuterie boards, starting for 1 person all the way to grazing tables, seasonal snacks, and provisions. We can help with everything you need to entertain in the best and elegant way.
What brought you to do your business?
I started this business with the idea of being able to give the community something to have fun and learn about. We all like to eat well and what better way to do it than by learning how to do it and of course doing it in a fun way. The classes for children teach them not to be afraid of the kitchen and from a young age, they learn to handle new ingredients and cook them from scratch. Plus it helps picky eaters try new flavors and textures.
When did the idea of creating your business start? How long have you been on business?
The idea for this business started with a friend. We both like to cook and we had the background of teaching cooking classes. We wanted to create something new and fun for the children in our area. We got to work and created this wonderful world of culinary experiences. We started the business together in 2019 and this third year it’s me by myself with all the desire to show all the wonders of the culinary world.
What do you enjoy the most about being an entrepreneur? 
What I enjoy the most about being an entrepreneur is that I can have my own time, of course with a good organization. I am a mother of three in a country where I had to learn from zero the customs and way of life of this community with which I fell in love from the first moment.
Being an entrepreneur makes you learn new things every day.
How many kids and how old are they?
I have 3 kids. The oldest is a senior this year she is 18 years old, her name is Ines and she loves to read and politics, my second one is a sophomore he is 15 years old, his name is Mateo and loves soccer, and my baby is in 7th grade she is 12, her name is Paloma and loves cheer.
What is your favorite part of what I do?
The best part of what I do is that I can do what I like the most in life, which is cooking and hosting. I love teaching what I know. I love good food and trying new recipes and ingredients. 
What does the future look like for you and your business?
In the future, I would love to have my own establishment to teach and cook.
Being able to have a place 100% dedicated to culinary experiences, being able to bring chefs from all over to teach. We need in the area fun and healthy things to do.
What advice would you give to others that want to start something new?
If I can start something new in a country other than the one I grew up in, anyone can do it. It takes a lot of dedication, patience, and the desire to work hard because it’s not easy but if you really love what you are doing I’m sure you are going to be able to make it happen.
Any advice for juggling all the things in daily life?
I think with everything going on right now we need to be very organized and open to all the changes that may occur from one day to the next.
Is not easy and I think that being part of this amazing community will help us thrive and survive these crazy times.
If you are interested in booking the Local Cookery for your next event, kids birthday parties, date night at home or wanting to learn to cook something new contact, Ana!
[email protected]
