Chef Julia was born and raised in Abbott, Texas, the hometown of Willie Nelson, in a tight-knit rural community of approximately 350 residents. Growing up among farmers and educators, she attended the local school from kindergarten through high school, spent summers working in her grandfather’s garden, helped raise cattle, and competed in every sport the small school offered.

After graduating from Texas State University with a degree in advertising at age 20, Chef Julia briefly explored the field before realizing her true calling lay in the culinary arts. Her passion for food, cultivated through years of cooking for family and an early line-cook position at a farm-to-table restaurant in nearby Hillsboro, propelled her into professional kitchens.

She began her culinary career at Barton Creek Country Club, where she gained comprehensive experience in fine dining, large-scale catering, and high-volume service. Following that, she joined the acclaimed Odd Duck on South Lamar in Austin, contributing to one of the city’s most innovative farm-to-table kitchens.

Having staged and worked in some of Texas’s top restaurants, Chef Julia now brings her expertise and creativity to her own catering company in Austin. With a commitment to exceptional, seasonally driven cuisine and meticulous attention to detail, she partners with clients to craft unforgettable dining experiences that exceed expectations.