Carla Crudup is an Award-Winning Food Columnist, Chef and Culinary Instructor in Los Angeles, California. She has worked as a Brand Ambassador, Product Spokesperson and Culinary Instructor for companies like Williams-Sonoma, Dreamfields Pasta, Lender’s Bagels, Wild Oats (owned by Whole Foods), STAR Fine Foods and Macy’s.
Carla has been featured in numerous media outlets and publications, including YAHOO, Taste of Home, Light & Tasty, The Food Channel, Multicultural Cooking Network, Cuisine Noir, The St. Louis Post and 94.7 The Wave.
Carla’s culinary philosophy is to focus on fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients for all of the dishes she prepares. Carla enjoys showcasing unique international ingredients and healthy and delicious meals prepared for special diets, including gluten-free, diabetic-friendly and vegan.
Carla grew up in a home filled with international ingredients and intoxicating smells. Her cooking style is influenced by her Air Force father’s travels in Europe and her experiences growing up in North Carolina, in a family that frequently entertained guests.
As a child, Carla was exposed to a wide variety of foods and developed a discerning palate. While most children her age were reading fairytales, Carla was busy browsing cookbooks with her father. It was not long before she found her passion for the culinary arts. By the age of 13, she was preparing meals of lobster and prime rib for families parties and guests.
During Carla’s career, she has taught hundreds of cooking classes and hosted numerous events for brands like Williams-Sonoma and Macy’s. Carla has taught Cookbook Courses for many celebrity chefs, including Tyler Florence, Ina Garten, Bobby Flay. Previously, she oversaw the Williams-Sonoma Junior Chef Program and developed and taught the first Healthy Cooking Culinary Program at Williams-Sonoma.
Carla has received industry commendation for her food photography, which has been featured on the Williams-Sonoma’s official Instagram page. Carla has been recognized by Chef April Bloomfield, James Beard Award recipient, for her visual rendition and presentation of recipes in the book “A Girl and Her Greens.” As the Resident Chef at Williams-Sonoma, she has been involved in product development and has had her recommendations released in worldwide Williams-Sonoma locations.
As a product ambassador and culinary instructor, Carla has generated thousands of dollars in sales for the brands she represents. She has provided product demos, instructional courses and staff cookware training for product lines like Vitamix, Breville, KitchenAID, Le Creuset, All Clad and many more. Carla has taught classes on a variety of topics, including cooking technique, product tutorials, and knife skills.
Carla has been featured in video segments and cooking shows, with both local and international reach. In 2010, Carla had the opportunity to host her own bilingual cooking show (in English and Spanish), titled, “Make Yourself Comfortable, American Style.” The show has been aired and has over 20,000 views on YouTube combined.
In 2017, Carla officially launched CarlaCrudup.com, a new home for her recipes, culinary tips and instructional videos. CarlaCrudup.com is THE place to find delicious, fresh, seasonal recipes with an international flair. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, we hope this website be help inspire you to create delicious meals for your family, friends and any guest at your table.