Chef Valerie Hanson’s Journey to Art of Cookery

Nestled in the heart of Whitehall, Michigan, Chef Valerie Hanson has transformed her passion for food into a thriving community hub through Art of Cookery. Her story, a testament to resilience, innovation, and love for the culinary arts, began in 2008 when she and her husband John envisioned turning their resources into something meaningful. Initially a small venture teaching basic cooking skills, Art of Cookery has grown into a celebrated institution that blends tradition with accessibility.

The Beginning of a Culinary Legacy

Valerie’s journey into the world of food was a natural evolution of her skills and interests. “I was always a good cook, and people started asking me about canning and preserving,” Valerie shared during our interview. Her vision for Bygone Basics, the precursor to Art of Cookery, was simple yet profound: to reconnect people with their food by teaching traditional cooking techniques.

Her first classes focused on everything from baking pies to canning vegetables. Despite initial challenges—like a Pure Michigan writer attending a class where everything seemed to go wrong—Valerie’s authentic teaching style shone through. “It was almost as if the mistakes were planned, so she could learn how to handle them in her own kitchen,” Valerie recounted with a laugh. The writer’s glowing review led to unexpected exposure, including an article in the Chicago Sun-Times, attracting food enthusiasts from across the Midwest.

A New Chapter: Art of Cookery

As her classes grew in popularity, Valerie and John moved into a larger space to accommodate their expanding kitchen and vision. Bygone Basics rebranded as Art of Cookery to better reflect its mission. “The name emphasizes cooking enjoyable food that people actually want to eat,” Valerie explained. “It’s about making cooking accessible and showing people how fun it can be.”

Art of Cookery now offers a variety of classes and retail food items, including Grab-n-Go meals, charcuterie boards, and Valerie’s signature 9″ sourdough pizzas. Each product showcases her dedication to using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. “The goal is always to make something better than what you’d buy in a store,” she said.

Health Challenges and Resilience

Valerie’s journey hasn’t been without hardship. In 2024, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, adding to her long-standing battle with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These health challenges have profoundly shaped her perspective on life and business. “Lupus taught me how to handle adversity, and that experience helped me face the cancer diagnosis with resilience,” she shared.

Despite undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Valerie remained committed to her customers. “I tried to honor my commitments as much as I could, even during treatment,” she said. “Cooking and teaching became therapeutic—it gave me a sense of normalcy.”

Valerie credits her husband John, a former Vietnam-era corpsman, for his unwavering support. “He’s my super nurse,” she said, smiling. “Even today, he’s always by my side, making sure I’m okay.”

The Community Connection

The support of her community has also been a pillar of strength. “My friends organized a benefit to help with medical bills. It was completely unexpected and overwhelming,” Valerie said. “It reminded me how deeply connected we all are.”

Valerie’s classes continue to bring people together in meaningful ways. She recalled a particularly poignant memory of hosting a private class for a group of sisters, one of whom was terminally ill. “It was their last time together, and I felt honored to be part of that memory,” she said, her voice full of emotion.

Looking Ahead

As Valerie looks to the future, she’s excited to return to a sense of normalcy. Her plans include offering smaller class sizes to accommodate her health and focusing on seasonal, high-quality ingredients. “I want my customers to leave with not just skills but confidence,” she said. “Cooking should be fun and accessible to everyone.”

She also hopes to take on new challenges, like recreating family recipes or introducing new class concepts. “I love it when someone pushes me to try something I’ve never done before,” she said.

A Final Word of Inspiration

Valerie’s advice to others facing personal or professional challenges is simple yet profound: “Take one step at a time. Don’t let the struggles burrow into you—keep moving forward.”

Through her journey, Valerie has created more than a business; she’s built a community that celebrates resilience, creativity, and the joy of cooking. Art of Cookery isn’t just a place to learn how to cook—it’s a testament to the power of passion and perseverance.