Award-winning cookbook author, Chef, and recipe research development professional Arlene Mead, is a certified member of the American Culinary Federation. She is also a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and The Texas Chef Association. She attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and graduated with a culinary arts degree with honors from the Food and Hospitality Services Institute at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas.

A native of Dallas, Arlene currently resides in Carmel, CA where she works as a chef instructor at Rancho Cielo-Drummond Culinary Academy. In addition, she has worked alongside Chef Kent Rathbun and Chef Stephen Pyles at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine, participating in other events around the Monterey Peninsula as well. She has also worked as a test chef at Cook’s Illustrated Magazine.

Attending specialty cooking classes in Italy and France keeps Arlene up-to-date on all culinary trends and hones her cooking skills. Her passion for cooking is the inspiration behind her award-winning cookbook, Cooking Bouquet: Feeling at Home in the Kitchen.

“In Cooking Bouquet, Arlene Stolley’s appealing menus and irresistible recipes lure us to the kitchen. Her friendly, confident voice and practical tips make us feel right at home.”

-Pam Anderson, food columnist for USA Weekend

“Cooking Bouquet is an inviting basic cookbook with clear advice and simple, season recipes. A homey and gentle introduction to cooking, her menus provide an immediate repertoire to get you through the process. Perfect for any novice.”

-Kirkus Reports