Hi there, I’m Jacqui, and I’m excited to share the story behind Tennessee Tucker—a dream born from my love of Southern cooking and my passion for bringing people together through great food.

My husband Ryan, our two boys, James and Justin, and I are proud East Tennesseans. We moved to Australia in 2012, starting our new adventure in Sydney. After a few years, we settled in Orange and then found our forever home in the charming town of Cudal in 2021.

The love of cooking runs in my veins. My grandmother and mother were my greatest inspirations, teaching me what true Southern cooking is all about—Flavors that feel like home and meals that nourish both the body and soul. Growing up, I was always the one to bring desserts to holiday gatherings, and I cherished the joy of feeding my family and friends.

When we moved to Orange, friends often encouraged me to share my cooking with a wider audience. I began dreaming of starting a food truck or a market stall to bring a little taste of the South to the Central West. Just as I was gearing up to take the plunge, the pandemic threw a wrench in those plans.

Life has a funny way of steering us toward new opportunities. In Cudal, I had the chance to step in as the cook for the Cudal Bowling Club while their chef was on holiday. It was there that I rediscovered my passion and decided it was time to create something truly my own.