36 JULY 2025 By Rachael Bouley Personal chef Elliette Dudley has taken a leap of faith into the world of culinary arts, and the journey has paid off – she’s living out her dream of creating amazing meals for her clients. Elliette offers in-home meal prep, private cooking classes, culinary lessons, and more, thanks to a business that has picked up over the past two years. A Phoenix native, Elliette grew up in the Encanto neighborhood before moving to California. She returned to the Grand Canyon State and earned a degree in Business Communications from Arizona State University. Post-college life led her to work in supply chain and logistics, but a few years ago, she was laid off – what she now calls a blessing in disguise. “I always wanted to work in the industry but hadn’t seriously considered culinary school until my mom encouraged me to tour Arizona Culinary Institute,” Elliette said. She made the leap and enrolled in a six-week certification program in November 2023. “After one day, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be,” she said. “I immediately committed to the full six-month diploma program, and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.” Elliette, who had been working remotely before pursuing culinary school full-time, knew she didn’t necessarily want to work in a restaurant but trusted she would find her path. “I loved working closely with people, and I realized I wanted to create something that blended personal connection with my love for cooking,” she said. “That realization inspired me to start Eat Ette by Chef Elliette Dudley, which is a play on the spelling of my first name.” Becoming a chef turned out to be the perfect fit, giving her the freedom to use culinary techniques learned in school while developing a creative and flexible service model. Her love of cooking and baking goes back to her middle school days, when she made banana bread and her signature “Everything Cookies” using her KitchenAid mixer – the same one she uses today. While she’s always enjoyed being in the kitchen, it wasn’t until 2018 that her obsession with all things cooking blossomed after watching a food blogger’s weekly dinner livestreams. Now, her days are happily spent meal prepping for clients, following their requests and requirements, from paleo and low-carb to dairy-free and diabetic-friendly. “One of the best parts of this job is helping clients fall back in love with home- cooked meals, even when they have dietary restrictions,” Elliette explained. “I enjoy the challenge of making food that’s tasty, healthy, and perfectly meets dietary needs.” Over the past years, she has realized many people assume in-home meal prepping equals fancy, high-end food. In reality, most of her clients are looking for healthy yet comforting and nostalgic dishes. “I often receive family recipes to jazz up, like broccoli cheddar casserole or braised cabbage, transforming them into cleaner, allergy-friendly versions with a gourmet touch,” Elliette said. In addition to weekly prep, she stays busy with private dinners, brunches, luncheons, and catering orders. The private lessons are especially popular, as she works one-on-one with everyone from high school students prepping for culinary school to couples who want to explore foreign cuisines together. Elliette, who credits her favorite Mediterranean cuisine for inspiring meals with bright flavors and fresh herbs, feels right at home in the kitchen. “Learning from experienced chefs keeps me inspired and helps me be a better mentor to those I teach,” Elliette said. “A lifelong dream of mine is to attend pastry school in France while continuing to explore new cultures and cuisines through travel.” Her menu collection is constantly expanding as she discovers new ingredients and draws inspiration from dishes she comes across in daily life and special requests. “I’ve built strong relationships with my clients and truly feel like part of their families,” Elliette said. “What started as a creative leap quickly turned into a thriving business, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” instagram.com/chefelliette How one Scottsdale chef went from layoff to ladle By Mark Hays With a background that connects therapy, sketch comedy and improv, Phoenician Duane Freeman channeled all three into a darkly humorous party game that’s catching on across the country: Words to Die By. “Originally, I had other names in mind, but after some trademark hurdles, this one stuck, and I’m glad it did,” Freeman explained. “It captures the heart of the game: comedy, creativity, and just the right touch of the dramatic.” The game, which wrapped a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year, invites players to act out over- the-top movie death scenes. One player serves as the director while others deliver the character’s final words, chosen from a card deck. The results are equal parts absurd, theatrical, and strangely heartfelt. “Words to Die By is a round-based party game,” Freeman said. “It’s a hit with actors, improv lovers, and fans of darker humor, but the joy is how it draws almost anyone out.” Freeman said the game grew organically after repeated encouragement from friends. The Kickstarter goal of $12,000 was met in just four days, a testament to the community that has grown around the project despite economic hurdles. Meeting the goal was an exciting, validating event. While the game is not meant as a therapeutic tool, Freeman’s counseling background helped craft its design. “Improv and comedy have a wonderful way of softening defenses and inviting people into vulnerable conversations without feeling overwhelmed,” he said. “Life isn’t either happy or sad. It’s often both at the same time. This game was born out of that.” Words to Die By’s death-focused theme can be a hurdle for some new players, as Freeman believes that we live in a culture that tends to avoid grief and mortality. This game is meant to be cathartic and silly. As for what’s next, Freeman is keeping it fluid, following his next creative inspiration. “My path has never been linear,” he said. “I’ve gone from performing sketch comedy, to teaching high school improv, to becoming a counselor, to starting a team- building company that launched in March 2020…not exactly ideal timing.” Freeman is excited to start distributing the game to players across the country and hopes to have it on shelves and on Amazon in the future. For now, people can learn more about the game on its website. wordstodieby.com Bringing big-screen movie magic to game night Duane Freeman Elliette Dudley Many of Elliette’s go-to meals are inspired by her favorite cuisine with fresh herbs and light but flavorful dishes.

37 JULY 2025 Artificial intelligence is making its way into Arizona classrooms, bringing significant changes to how students learn. Two Valley-based schools, Unbound Academy and Novatio School, are leading the charge with AI-integrated education models that aim to prepare students for the future while maintaining a focus on what makes teaching personal. Here are a few things to know: Teachers still lead the way Despite the presence of AI tools, educators remain at the heart of the learning experience. What’s changing is how teachers spend their time. With AI handling repetitive tasks like grading and tracking progress, teachers are freed up to coach students more directly and focus on their emotional and social development. “It helps us do what we became teachers to do,” Novatio educator JP Guerra said, “by giving us time back to connect with students in meaningful ways.” Shorter academic blocks, more hands-on learning At Unbound and Novatio, students complete core academic work in about two hours per day using adaptive platforms. These systems adjust to each student’s skill level, helping them master subjects before advancing to the next block. This kind of personalized learning ensures students build a strong foundation without feeling rushed or held back. “I really like how I can go at my own pace and be able to go ahead of my grade,” sixth-grader Sophie said. With academic basics handled efficiently, the rest of the day is open for projects that reflect students’ interests and goals. These can include creating video games, developing business ideas, or writing stories. “We’re preparing students for a world where AI is part of everyday life,” added Ivy Xu, CEO of Prequel, the education organization behind both schools. “That means teaching them how to think, create, and solve real problems.” Real-world skills get a bigger spotlight One of the most notable shifts is the emphasis on practical skills. By reducing the time spent on lectures and worksheets, schools create space for subjects like entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial literacy. Students have produced podcasts, developed mental health apps, and even launched small businesses, all while learning to utilize technology as a creative tool. “I like Novatio because I learn a lot more than I did in my old school and I don’t have to ‘do’ school for very long,” Arcadia sixth grader Anabeth Blodgett said. Free financial literacy workshops Recognizing a gap in Arizona’s education system, Unbound and Novatio are offering two free financial literacy workshops for students. Sessions are open to the public and offer a preview of the school’s hands-on approach to learning. “These workshops are about giving students a head start in life,” Xu said. “They’re practical, engaging, and designed to build confidence.” unbound.school AI in the classroom This month’s search for the 30-year update of cover star Precious the potbelly pig proved unsuccessful, as word through the grapevine let our editor know that he and his family moved from their home on the northwest corner of 64th Street and Lafayette. Instead, we’re featuring a few patriotic pups that are very excited for the upcoming holiday – aside from those pesky fireworks, of course. Happy Independence Day, readers! ARCADIANEWSARCHIVES.COM 30 30 YEARS AGO YEARS AGO Bentley Teddy Rosey