Last updated on October 9, 2019
Hello to Jade! Jade is a graduate of our culinary arts program, and the ad she filmed with us reflects that. She now runs a catering company called Made by Jade, where she makes food and pastries for events, showers and more. You can see her showing off her skills in the finished ad at the end of this post.
So you’re in our new ad campaign! What’s your name?
Jade English
What made you take an interest in doing the ad with us?
Honestly, I’ve known Kathy [from Nametag Films] my entire life. When she said y’all were doing a casting call for El Centro students, I thought it sounded like fun. I didn’t even think you guys would pick me! So it was a nice surprise.
What was the process of shooting like for you? What was it like being on set?
It was fun! It was kind of one of those things you just have to try, when it’s outside your comfort zone like that. It was fun being back at El Centro after a few semesters and seeing a few former professors and seeing everyone again.
What did you like (or not like) about being in the ads?
The whole experience was awesome! It was fun, it was just something a little bit different you don’t do in an everyday experience. It was cool to go through the process and get to meet everyone, I really enjoyed it.
What are you studying? Why did you choose it?
I just finished a culinary degree at El Centro.
Why did you choose to study at DCCCD?
Well when I decided I wanted to go to culinary school, I did a lot of research on my options, and I looked at places like the Art Institute of Dallas, Le Cordon Bleu, and so on. And the more I tried to research it – I’ve worked in restaurants since I was 16, so I had a lot of people I could ask – the more I found that a lot of people spoke really highly of El Centro. Basically what people were telling me was that if you want to be a chef in Dallas, El Centro was an awesome option. Most chefs in Dallas spoke highly of the program and were supportive of its students.
Adding to that, cost was also a big factor, especially with the $40,000 tuition of Le Cordon Bleu compared to DCCCD, and I’d be able to get financial aid to help on top of that at DCCCD.
What were you doing before attending DCCCD?
When I first graduated from high school I went to UT-Dallas, but I also went to Richland for my basics, and then I was just working in restaurants [after that]. Culinary school was something I wanted to do but I kept putting it off, and I didn’t take the idea seriously. I kept saying I’d do it “in the future.”
And then one day I was on my way to work and decided in about January 2015, you know what? It’s time to apply and see if I can get in. The process was super easy, and the chefs also made it super easy. Even with full/overloaded classes, the chefs were still really accommodating and willing to take me in.
What are your educational or professional plans after DCCCD?
I started a catering company named Made by Jade. I do a variety of things depending on client preferences. I do a lot of baby/bridal showers, with all types of food like appetizers to hors d’oeuvre as well as cakes and cupcakes, dessert tables, things like that.
I’m actually in the process of trying to set up my schedule to go back and get my pastry degree as well. After taking a few baking classes I realized I’m pretty good and really enjoy that, so I want to add it to my skillset.
What do you like best about DCCCD?
I really loved the connections I made and all the people that went to school with me. I feel like I’ve made a lot of lifelong friends, and I loved learning from and working with the professors and chefs. They were absolutely amazing – I can still call and ask career questions and food questions and they’ll write me references. I try to go down once in awhile and just visit with people – the connections I made were just invaluable.
What is something you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I play volleyball and I love to travel. My husband and I travel a lot – we’re actually going to Mexico in January. We love to get in a car or on a plane and just go.
Nice work, Jade! Make sure to read the rest of our DCCCD 2016 ad campaign student profiles to meet some of the other students involved in the creation of the campaign.