By
Nicole DeRouen
Photography by
Katherine Kocian
There is nothing better than a great meal, ads El Paso catering company and restaurant – The Culinary Studio – knows that better than anyone. Last month, The Culinary Studio opened the doors of its new location to the public. Run by husband-and-wife team Jordan and Tara Freedman, this family business has been serving the Sun City for around three years.
The Studio’s tasty dishes and inviting atmosphere are sure to attract customers from every corner of the city, and their new location means more room for growth and good memories.
Tara is particularly excited about growing the business at their brand-new location on Shadow Mountain. She is the previous owner of the restaurant Nosh, which served salad bowls and other healthy options from 2016 to 2018, with glowing reviews. Her husband Jordan also has restaurant experience as the owner of Jordy’s Curbside Eats, a very successful food truck. The couple opened their first location for The Culinary Studio (which was located on Belvidere) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
“We had a very, very small kitchen, so we were making miracles happen out of that. I think we sold way more than the space could handle,” Tara explained that the size of the old location was the main reason for moving. This location was simply not big enough to accommodate the slew of orders coming in, so they found a larger option that customers are sure to appreciate.
According to Tara, their new location comes with a lot more space, including a much larger kitchen. Previously, the team was working with minimal kitchen and counter space, but now, they have more than enough room to create anything and everything they can.
Sam Belletete, administrator at The Culinary Studio, added that the team is most excited to once again be around lots of customers.
“The catering is nice, but when you’re having events, they’re always going to be focused on the event that’s happening, or the host or the hostess. But here, you actually have people that want to come in and they want to talk to you,” she says.
This sort of connection is highly valued at The Culinary Studio, especially after the pandemic, and they are very excited to welcome customers into their new location for a relaxed and comfortable dining experience.
One of the best parts of The Culinary Studio is that it’s run by one big family.
Of course, Tara and Jordan are married (with a baby boy on the way), but that’s not all. The space was designed with the help of Tara’s cousin, and a few menu items are inspired by Jordan’s mother’s recipes.
“Jordy’s Mom’s Matzo Ball Soup” is a customer favorite, and comes in chicken and vegetarian varieties.
The Culinary Studio also offers Tara’s famous salad bowls from her time at Nosh. This combination of fresh and tried-and-true recipes makes The Culinary Studio’s menu versatile but also intimate enough to feel like a home-cooked meal.
As for the future of The Culinary Studio, Tara says they are considering adding brunch to their menu, giving customers even more wonderful options to choose from. No matter what happens, she is prepared for whatever may come their way next, and excited to share her family’s passion with the public.
“Everyone’s very excited for everything and excited to roll it out so we can continue to improve it,” says Tara. “Of course, in the restaurant industry, you’re always learning, always taking feedback, always improving.”
