Alumni Spotlight: Alexis and Amber Hadley

 

From left: Amber and Alexis Hadley, who both graduated from the RLC culinary arts program, now work at one of the top fine dining restaurants in Lexington, Ky.

 

Twins Alexis and Amber Hadley did a lot of things together growing up. They have worked at a couple of different chain restaurants and even served in a kitchen in a bar. They even graduated from Rend Lake College with their matching associates degree in culinary arts.

 

Now the sisters have gone from perfecting sandwiches and bar food to working at Carson’s Food & Drink, a top restaurant in Lexington, KY.

 

“It’s always worked out that we had gotten jobs at the same place,” Alexis Hadley said. “We get along really well. If we didn’t, there is no way this would have worked. We are very close. It’s like working with your best friend.”

 

“We have a lot of fun,” Amber Hadley said. “We play but we also get the job done. That’s what I think I like the most about it.”

 

The Hadley sisters knew they wanted to work in culinary arts since they graduated from Marion High School in 2015. Alexis and Amber loved baking and cake decorating, and they knew they wanted to pursue a profession that combined their love for food and their passion for cooking creatively.

 

“I used to watch this show ‘Cake Boss,’” Amber Hadley said. “I just knew that is what I wanted to do.”

 

When they were looking at RLC, the Hadley sisters first expressed interest in the one-year baking and pastries certification. They eventually enrolled in the two-year associate degree in culinary arts.

 

“It was a lot of fun being together in class and with the staff,” Alexis said. “I really did enjoy going to Rend Lake. The culinary program that they have there is absolutely amazing. You learn so much. The staff really caters to you.”

 

Amber agreed, adding one of the lessons she applies every day is how to calculate culinary math

.

“I learned a lot about speed and accuracy through the program that I use in my current job,” she said.

 

After earning their degrees in 2017, Alexis and Amber Hadley worked at Buffalo Wild Wings in Marion. They later moved to Lexington in October 2019. They soon started working in their fourth restaurant together. Carson’s Food & Drink is a fine dining experience that specializes in quality food in a speakeasy type environment. It is considered one of the top restaurants in the Lexington area.

 

“It is a big jump from where we were, making bar food,” Amber said. “I like the speed and the fast-paced environment. You are always moving.”

 

Amber said she works the morning shift as a prep cook, making sauces and soups all from scratch. Her days can be up to 12 hours long but she enjoys keeping up with the quick pace of the kitchen.

 

“It’s a lot of hard work but it is rewarding,” she said.

 

When much of the food industry was forced to adjust due to COVID-19 restrictions, Alexis said she felt fortunate that Carson’s was able to continue its services at a time where many local restaurants and bars were forced to mend their hours and business plans. Others were forced to close.

 

“I’m taking it as it is,” she said. “I am just glad to have the opportunity to work and learn.”

Both of the Hadley sisters encourage anyone thinking about a career in the culinary arts to start their career path at RLC.

 

“Don’t be afraid if you feel like you have no knowledge in it whatsoever,” Amber said. “I had some basics but when I came in, I was pretty much new at everything.”

 

“They make sure that you understand why you are doing something and there's a reason for it,” Alexis said. “They are really good at what they do. I’m really grateful for what they taught my sister and me because we use it.”