Columbus, OH
About Us
At Young Chefs® Academy, our mission is to make a positive lasting impact on children and families through teaching the joy and value of cooking in a welcoming environment that encourages discovery and creativity.
Rated 4.7 on Google (1,359 Reviews)
Franchise Owner
Rochelle Mayo Barrett and TaRey Hall first met while working for Head Start in Columbus, Ohio. For the past twenty years they have formed a lasting friendship and developed a strong passion for working with young people and contributing to their communities.
Rochelle is a native of Columbus, Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University. She brings 23 years of experience working with young children and their families and advocating them as a licensed social worker. She is an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and has led their youth auxiliary for four years. Rochelle enjoys traveling, sampling new foods, and spending time with her friends and family.
TaRey, originally from Xenia, Ohio, returned to the Columbus area after graduating from Central State University. She has 20 years of experience working with children and families and a lifelong love of cooking and baking. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., TaRey remains active in her community and works to inspire others to explore food and different cultures. She enjoys traveling, reading, and sharing meals with her friends, family, and anyone who appreciates good food.
Rochelle and TaRey are exited to join the Young Chefs Academy family where they can continue to serve children & families and become active in the Gahanna area sharing the joy and value of cooking!
Founder & CEO
Founder and CEO, Julie Burleson, established Young Chefs® Academy in 2003 with the vision of cultivating/serving children’s strong interest in the culinary arts. It has grown with locations throughout the US to be a welcoming environment that provides a “real” setting so that the students can take what they learn at YCA™ to their own homes.
“The kitchen is the pulse of the home… where we learn about life and each other,” says Burleson. “Young Chefs Academy nourishes those values and gives kids an innovative environment to learn and thrive. In this busy world, what could be better?”
Over the years our franchisees have been showcased across some of the largest networks, which is a testament to our values and community activities.