Crystal's interest in food started young with Saturday episodes of Yan Can Cook and during Christmastime tamale making with her family. Cooking became a passion when she moved to Chicago in 2005 after earning her MBA at Texas Christian University. Living in a new city, she challenged herself to create new recipes and feed budding friendships by hosting regular Sunday dinners. After returning to her hometown a year later, she enrolled in the Culinary School of Fort Worth where she graduated with honors in 2009. It was during her time at CSFW that she began publishing Fort Worth Foodie magazine in an effort to highlight independent restaurants that make Fort Worth a unique place to live and dine.

Crystal continues her involvement in Fort Worth's food scene as a member of the executive board for the Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival, a celebration of the local culinary arts that raises funds for local grant programs and culinary scholarships. Crystal also serves as a chef instructor for the Cooking Matters^TM program offered by Tarrant Area Food Bank where she and other volunteers teach families how to make healthy food choices on a limited budget.

Follow Crystal's culinary adventures through the Fort Worth Foodie on Facebook - www.facebook.com/fwfoodie Instagram feed - @FWFoodie.