Cathy Cochran-Lewis

As a culinary consultant, marketing and public relations expert and a nationally recognized culinary professional, Cathy Cochran-Lewis has actively worked to build Austin’s culinary profile for nearly 20 years. She has worked with Whole Foods Market since 2004 in community relations, public relations, content and regional marketing and is now global marketing programs coordinator. Previously, Cathy was a daily newspaper journalist and then followed her passion into the culinary world to create and open cooking schools across the country, including the award-winning Central Market Cooking Schools in Texas. She continues to be inspired in her exploration of new cooking techniques, great recipes and fresh ingredients. She has served as president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, the world’s largest organization of culinary professionals. She is a founder and board director of one of Austin’s most regarded culinary non-profits, the Austin Food and Wine Alliance. She also is a co-founder, former president and active member of Les Dames D’Escoffier Austin Chapter and has served on the international organization’s board of directors.