Rachael Rydbeck is a Le Cordon Bleu–trained chef and culinary instructor with over 20 years of experience sharing her love of food. She has taught and cooked across the U.S. and South America, from professional kitchens in the Midwest (Café Levain, Turtle Bread Company, Cook’s of Crocus Hill, and General Mills) to Boston’s America’s Test Kitchen, to children’s cooking classes in Seattle, and even in Santiago, Chile, and São Paulo, Brazil. She has also contributed recipes to the Cooking with Mother Goose series by registered dietitian nutritionist Lacey Mauritz. Today, she brings her passion for teaching to St. Petersburg, Florida, through her business, Cooking with Rachael, where she offers private cooking classes and team-building events.

Rachael’s mission is to demystify cooking and empower chefs of all ages and skill levels to feel confident in the kitchen. Whether you’re just starting your cooking journey, eager to make healthier meals, or simply looking for a fun, hands-on experience, Rachael makes cooking approachable, engaging, and delicious.

With a rich repertoire of recipes and techniques gathered over two decades, she believes that food is about more than just eating — it’s about learning, creating, and connecting. Outside the kitchen, you’ll also find her skating with Sunshine City Roller Derby under the name Betty Crack-Her — proof that she brings the same energy, grit, and fun to everything she does.

She can’t wait to welcome you into the kitchen and get cooking together.