McKinney/Allen, TX
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
LaMar Tatum and his family moved to Collin County in 2016 and have enjoyed the diverse culture and foods that the area has to offer. He recalls at a young age learning to cook from his parents who always said “if I knew how to cook, I’d never go hungry.” LaMar has always been inspired to prepare different cuisines at home and explore the ingredients in recipes. He also has a passion for healthy selections and enjoys growing a number of items in his home garden.
LaMar has enjoyed many volunteer positions including in Plano ISD schools, Boys and Girls Club of Collin County and several church activities, among them being the Kid’s Ministry. He and his family are fond of traveling to new places to learn about new cultures, enjoying the outdoors and doing activities such as going to the beach, hiking in the mountains, gardening, spending time at the lake, rock climbing, running, working out at the gym, and trying new restaurants.
With a passion for cooking from scratch and expanding his cooking knowledge, LaMar is excited to bring a broad range of inspiring culinary activities to young chefs in Allen and the surrounding areas.
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.