Today we’d like to introduce you to Aly Romero.
Hi Aly, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’m Aly Romero, a private chef here in Southlake! My culinary journey started soon after college and was inspired by my dad, who used to visit from New Zealand for a few months at a time. First thing every morning he would ask me, “What’s for dinner tonight, Aly?” I would look at him like he was crazy—it was only 8 am! But at night, we would have a glass of wine and cook together, and pretty soon I found that I, too, woke up thinking about dinner. I lost my dad in 2013, but I still feel close to him when I cook. In the mornings, my oldest son asks, “Mom, what’s for dinner tonight?” and I can’t help but smile.
In 2016 I started my food blog. I had over 20 years of self-taught, hands-on cooking experience, along with culinary school, and I just wanted to share what I had learned with the social media community. It was a way for me to put it out there and see where it would go! On my food blog, I love sharing new ways to adapt and elevate everyday recipes with fresh takes and diverse influences. I also love exploring different types of cuisines and incorporating the different ingredients and techniques of various flavor profiles. All of this lead to being approached to become a Brand Ambassador for Traeger Grills, Hestan Culinary & Burch Barrel, all brands which I use daily and feel very passionate about in their cooking performance, whether I’m cooking in the kitchen or out in the backyard.
My blog led to many televised culinary appearances; I was featured in the “You on The Chew” Recipe Showdown where my Carnitas Street Tacos were named the winning recipe, and not long after, I was invited by Good Morning America to cook with my husband in a live segment promoting Ayesha Curry’s new show, Family Food Fight (which we also won!). Most recently, I competed in the Great Food Truck Race in Alaska as a member of the Meatball Mamas on Food Network…I’m still pinching myself! I’m so excited to share that I’m now working on my first cookbook, coming in 2024!
About 5 years ago, my passion for cooking evolved into a career as a private chef. I specialize in elevated dinner parties for events and occasions like milestone birthdays, baby/bridal showers, and work functions. I love to cook with seasonal ingredients to compose the highest quality dishes. I enjoy working with my clients to choose menu options that will add a personal touch to their event. Whether it’s a girl’s night in or a celebratory dinner with friends, I work with my clients to create a unique, custom experience. I’m also currently working as a private chef for a family in Dallas, preparing dinners a few nights a week and stocking them up with healthy grab-and-go lunch options for the rest of the week.
What I love most about food is its power to build community and help connect us to each other. We are new to Southlake, but we have quickly learned that being part of this community is such a warm and welcoming experience, it feels like family! My husband and I have been married for 22 years and we have three fantastic kids; our daughter is a sophomore at TCU and our boys are at Carroll Senior High and Carroll Middle School. Between all our busy schedules, life can definitely get pretty chaotic. But no matter how crazy life gets, we always make time to sit down and enjoy dinner together at the end of the day. Sharing fresh, incredible food with the people I love is one of the truest joys of my life. And one of my very favorite questions is, “What’s for dinner?”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always challenges along the way, especially when you are starting your own business. In taking risks and putting yourself out there, hearing “no” happens, but it’s not as often as hearing “yes”, so I’ve learned it’s just part of the growing process. I always share these experiences with our kids so that they know every day I am working toward my goals and dreams and it’s not always a “yes” answer but you figure out how to improve or pivot and you just keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of Aly Romero, Private Chef. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a private chef located in Southlake, TX and I specialize in cooking for special events, usually 10-20 people, milestone birthday dinners, work events, and other celebrations with friends and family. I love to work with my clients to develop the perfect menu for their particular event. I cook from the heart and I feel that’s what separates me, I truly believe you can taste the difference on the plate! I cook across all cuisines, using many different culinary techniques. When I think back to cooking in the kitchen with my dad and how taking some risks to purse my passion has grown my business to where it is today, I know he would be so proud! I am thrilled to be working on my first cookbook, it’s always been a dream of mine!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I definitely was not a foodie growing up! I had no interest in food or cooking until after I graduated from college, got married, and had kids. It was a passion that grew at first out of a necessity to eat and then into a love of time spent with my dad in the kitchen. After college, I had Food Network on in the background daily, watching the cooking shows and printing out recipes I wanted to try, I was always watching and reading everything I could about cooking and food through books and magazines. I just wanted to learn more!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AlyRomero.com
- Instagram: AlyRomero
- Facebook: Let’s Get Cooking with Aly Romero
- Twitter: @CookingWithAly
- Youtube: Aly Romero
- Yelp: Aly Romero, Private Chef
