She helps choose the recipes that her class will prepare. “I like a smaller class since we’re able to cook more,” she adds. Leadra grew up in Bismarck and graduated from Henderson State University with a degree in family and consumer science. She is working on her master’s degree in counseling at the University of Arkansas. Her husband, Joe, is involved with his family’s construction company. Leadra enjoys baking sweets the most. “Chocolate should be a special food group,” she says.
“During the holidays, I like to make Christmas cookies and peanut butter balls to give as gifts. Many times these gifts never leave the house.” The recipes featured are Joe and Leadra’s favorites. During the weekend, she plans ahead and will make a lot of food to have leftovers for the rest of the week. The family butchers their own cows and pigs and splits these up between family members.
“We will put the meat in the freezer and then it is easy to pull out and thaw for our evening meal,” Leadra explains. Leadra admits that she learned so much about cooking from her mother and grandmothers. Her interests besides cooking include scrapbooking, sewing, experimenting with menus at different restaurants and decorating cakes. She enjoys going to auctions and attends the Ridgeway Church of Christ. Leadra is involved with FCCLA at Alpena School.