WELCOME TO THE CULINARY ANNEX
We're passionate about building a space in Des Moines where culinary artists feel safe, valued and supported.
OUR STORY
My name is Cassandra, but most people know me as Chef Cass. I own the Culinary Annex and currently offer culinary classes on foods from around the world.
I grew up in Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa. My love of food was ingrained at a young age. As a baby, Mom had a hand-cranked food grinder to make mush of ANY food she was eating so I could have some, too. My grandma once said to my Mom, “She is the only baby I know with breath that smells of onions and mushrooms!”
Both my parents are quite the cooks. Dad is the adventurous risk-taker, throwing dishes together using no measuring spoons, timers, or thermometers. My mother is the recipe-finder and the best soup-maker ever! Dad always came home smelling of tomatoes and spices, being the owner and manufacturer of Chapala Salsa back in the 90s. They encouraged me to create and cook at a young age. I started to create my own recipes at the age of 6, some of the first being “Blue Soup” and “Chinese Egg Scramble”.
As I aged, I kept experimenting with flavors. My best buddy and I would experiment with the weirdest concoctions…one of our faves was olive and lime juice. This is where my taste range was expanded to the strange and unique.
I was originally a Studio Arts major when I first went to Morningside College but I figured out I was not as motivated with my art as I once thought, and moved to NYC. Living in one of the biggest cities in the world was quite a trip! Big buildings, loud sounds, so many people, so many smells, and some of the best parties I have ever been to. I was a nanny and a cook for families on the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, and Sunnyside Queens. It was quite the adventure.
Some of my favorite memories happened in Flushing Queens -- the real “China town” as far as I’m concerned! These experiences started me down my professional culinary path. The Golden Mall was one of the first stops in Flushing where the restaurant Xi'An Famous Foods made their award winning noodles . This is where my reigning love affair with Sichuan Cuisine began, as well as an obsession with trying to recreate their flavors.
My move back to Des Moines was prompted by a friend who told me “Cass! Why don’t you open a food truck?!?!!” I decided it was time to be back home, where I could afford culinary school and pay rent at the same time (almost impossible in NYC). I graduated from the Iowa Culinary Institute in 2015 and have since been on an adventure through the world of food.
MEET OUR CHEFS
Chef Jules
Jules Henningsen is a classically trained Chef who dreams of sharing their love of vegan cookery with their hometown Des Moines, IA!
They enjoy working with local farms and highlighting homegrown vegetables in their dishes. Jules is a graduate of the Iowa Culinary Institute and a former Chef of Modern Love in Omaha. They opened up Hey Schweetie a vegan food truck in 2022.
Having had the opportunity to work with some of the finest restaurateurs in Des Moines; they plan someday to open a brick-and-mortar spot full of nostalgic Midwestern fare... veganized, of course!
Chef Jose
I’m Jose Clavell, founder of Boricua in the Midwest—a culinary venture based in Grimes, Iowa, dedicated to sharing the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican and Latin cuisine through hands-on cooking classes and artisanal foods.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I bring the heart of the island to the Midwest, combining my deep love of traditional Puerto Rican cooking with a self-taught passion for baking and food education. Since moving to Iowa in 2015, I've made it my mission to demystify Puerto Rican and Latino cuisine and make it approachable, delicious, and fun to learn.
At Boricua in the Midwest, we offer engaging cooking classes at the Culinary Annex, where I teach everything from classic dishes like arroz con gandules to modern fusions that celebrate Midwest ingredients with island flair. In addition, we craft small-batch granola and baked goods that reflect the bold, warm flavors of my heritage.
Come cook with us, taste something new, and bring home the flavors of the places you love to vacation!
Chef KP
Welcome Chef KP! With more than 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry, she is an absolute joy to learn from.
Through her private dining experience business, KP Kreation, this talented chef brings the restaurant experience right to your home. Additionally, she crafts and sells unique spice blends to enhance the flavors of your dishes!
KP specializes in regional French cuisine and also hosts pasta-making classes. In her sessions, you'll discover how to follow new recipes and enhance your knife skills! Come expand your pallet and learn from a local professional Chef!
Herbalist Cal
Cal Janae Wolfpack, is a clinical herbalist, botanist, herb grower, forager & plant educator located in Milo, IA in the Raccoon River and Des Moines River watersheds.
They have been studying plants for their entire life: as a child they were led on plant and bird watching walks in Iowa and Minnesota by their father before they could walk on their own. Later, they formalized their passion for the natural world and living sustainably in it with a degree in Ethnobotany from Drake University. Cal then studied and apprenticed with herbalist 7Song at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, from which they hold an Herbalist Certificate where they were later employed. During this time, Cal practiced as a clinical herbalist at the Ithaca Free Clinic in Ithaca, New York for several years. Cal currently works as a self-employed herbalist and botanist in their private practice offering sliding scale, holistic herbal consultations, growing and foraging herbs for medicine making, teaching herbal medicine & botany, leading plant walks & offering plant identification. As a clinical herbalist Cal is a general practitioner with focus in areas of women’s health, queer health, first aid, mental health, harm reduction, addiction and recovery.
They are the owner of the Profound Existence Herbs products line available at the Valley Junction Farmer’s Market, Indianola Downtown Farmer’s Market, Pleasant Hill Community Farmer’s Market, Campbell’s Nutrition and through online ordering and shipping.
In their free time Cal maintains a strong wanderlust and rapt interest in the botanical arts, bird watching & homesteading with their partner, child, dog, ducks, chickens & guinea pig.
Chef Jackie
Chef Jackie is a trained chef, baker, and experienced culinary educator with a passion for inspiring creativity in the kitchen. With specialized training in pastry and baking from the Iowa Culinary Institute, Jackie brings hands-on experience and artisan techniques to every class.
As the Pastry Sous Chef at Oak Park restaurant, Jackie co-leads the pastry program with a focus on creating seasonal, bespoke desserts that highlight artistry and flavor. This dedication to craftsmanship extends beyond the professional kitchen into the world of culinary education.
Jackie is also the owner of Little Buns Bakehouse, an artisan pop-up bakehouse known for its handmade breads, pastries, and baked goods—both sweet and savory. From flaky biscuits to flavorful focaccia pizzas, every creation is thoughtfully prepared using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients
Each class is thoughtfully designed to inspire confidence, spark creativity, and make cooking and baking approachable and fun. Whether exploring new recipes or mastering the basics, every experience is crafted to leave you feeling empowered and excited to create.