This dynamic duo shares a passion for culinary creativity.
By Megan Archer
HQ 128 | Winter 2025
When you first meet them, Izzy Cross and Tammy Hugh admit they should have never become friends. Cross is a Venezuelan-born chef who manages Huntington’s Kitchen, a local culinary hub focused on healthy, accessible meals. Meanwhile, Hugh, a dental hygienist, decided in her 40s to chase her dream of going to culinary school and open her own catering business. If it hadn’t been for their shared passion for food, they most likely would never have crossed paths.
“She’s the Thelma to my Louise, the Lucy to my Ethel,” Hugh joked. “We are two completely different people who come from different cultures and backgrounds, and yet our friendship somehow works.”
Hugh described the moment she arrived at culinary school wearing heels and dress clothes, a bit out of place but fully determined.
“I realized quickly you don’t wear heels in culinary school,” she said with a laugh. “Chef Izzy, who was the lead chef instructor at that time, heard me coming and said, ‘You must be Mrs. Hugh.’”
Cross had been informed by a colleague that Hugh “might want to learn to make brownies.”
“Brownies are like the ‘Karens’ of food,” Cross joked. “But Tammy was one of the best students I ever had. She quickly understood that the culinary field is complex — it’s chemistry, history and science. That drive and curiosity linked us.”
Their story is one of friendship built on a shared love of food and a drive to make a difference.
With encouragement from Cross, Hugh recently launched Helluva Table, a catering company focused on edgy and elevated flavor profiles with a design aesthetic that is primitive and rustic.
“I’m so proud of her ability to take all that she’s learned and start a business,” Cross said. “Running a business is hard work. Yet she’s doing it.”
The catering company — which earned its name during a trip to New Orleans when Hugh declared, “I want people to walk away and say, ‘Wow, that was a helluva table!’” — has quickly developed a reputation for its unique offerings and meticulous standards.
“We wanted to create something special, which is why we’re very particular with the ingredients we choose,” Hugh said. “We source locally, make fresh dough and always use the freshest vegetables. We often take trips to Raleigh to find ingredients not available here in Huntington.”
Food is central to every aspect of Cross and Hugh’s friendship, extending even to their shared mission for community impact. Cross, who takes pride in Huntington’s Kitchen’s commitment to serving the community, said she sees local ingredients as essential to her culinary philosophy.
“When I competed in a cast-iron competition, the goal was to use Appalachian ingredients,” Cross recalled. “I wasn’t familiar with many of them, so I researched the region’s food heritage. This area is rich in ingredients, but they’re often underutilized. I always carry a curiosity with me and will buy books for research just to make the perfect dish.”
When it comes to Appalachian food traditions, Hugh is a seasoned hand. Her pepperoni rolls, made with her grandmother’s dough recipe, have become a local favorite, along with her beloved deviled eggs and seasonal creations like apple dumplings and pies.
“Seasonality is key,” Cross noted. “We don’t cut corners; everything is fresh.”
Food is more than just a matter of taste for Cross and Hugh — presentation matters, too.
“Plating is an art,” said Hugh. “We eat with our eyes first. If it doesn’t look good, it’s not going to taste as good.”
And in the culinary world, Cross added, originality is a critical ingredient for success.
“We’re very competitive in the best way, always aiming to stand out,” Cross said. “There are many catering companies, but Tammy is particular about offering one-of-a-kind delicious bites — from amuse-bouche to innovative appetizers to heirloom generational desserts.”
Cross and Hugh channel their passion for food into a co-authored column in Ask Us Beauty magazine, a women-centered publication based out of Miami. Their column merges their culinary expertise with healthy, family-friendly recipes that are quick and easy to prepare.
“Most women want something nutritious that their families will enjoy,” said Cross. “The column gives us a chance to put unique twists on classic recipes and experiment with fresh ideas.”
Reflecting on their friendship, they both emphasize the importance of communication.
“Our friendship has always had a foundation of honesty,” said Cross, referencing her time as Hugh’s culinary instructor. “That authenticity is so important.”
Hugh added, “Izzy pushes me to be more curious, always saying, ‘Let’s just try it!’ She makes me want to learn more.”
For Cross and Hugh, food is a lifestyle.
“We’re always tasting and testing food,” Cross said. “We travel together, try different cuisines and bring back new ideas. A bold, thoughtful experience — that’s our goal. We want our food to make people think and feel something.”
Their friendship remains at the core of all their ventures.
“Everything we do has to do with food, from trying new dishes to dreaming up new ideas,” said Cross. “Our families have become close, too. Our husbands have ‘dad trips’ for golf, while Tammy and I take our daughters on ‘mom trips’ full of food adventures.”
Looking forward, Cross and Hugh have no plans to slow down. Hugh said she dreams of expanding Helluva Table, exploring new projects such as a blog or a TikTok channel, while Cross aims to provide more community-based offerings through her work at Huntington’s Kitchen. Together, they will continue to bring their culinary creativity to Huntington.
“Food brought us together, and food is everything to us,” Hugh said. “It keeps us curious, keeps us connected and drives our passion forward. And even if we might not have a ‘helluva table,’ we are always sure we will have a ‘helluva’ good time.”
Cross and Hugh’s journey is a testament to the power of friendship and food — and the joy of sharing both with the world.
To learn more about Helluva Table and Huntington’s Kitchen, find them both on Facebook and Instagram. You can also visit Huntington’s Kitchen online at www.huntingtons-kitchen.org and contact Helluva Table via email at [email protected].
