By Madeline Bates
Mail

After almost 15 years in the kitchen, Tracy Dempsey is once again spending the summer teaching. 

Dempsey was a teacher when she first started cooking. After spending several years teaching French and English, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a chef.

She then went to culinary school at Scottsdale Community College, where her certificate catapulted her to different parts of the Valley, from wholesale to catering to resorts and restaurants, where she learned from other chefs, but also brought her own ideas to the table.

“I enjoy knowing that my cooking nourishes people’s souls,” she said. “It’s a great creative process, and I love hearing about when someone is really happy with something  they had.” 

Dempsey worked for years at several restaurants and resorts like the Hermosa Inn and the Cottonwood, which is now the Andaz Resort in Scottsdale.

In 2012, she and one other employee moved into the a shop on 1323 W. University Drive in north Tempe where she had both a retail space and a commercial kitchen. Today she sells wine, baked goods and art from artists around the Valley at Tracy Dempsey Origanals.  

But Dempsey isn’t new to teaching and has had years of preparation from her time at Sweet Basil Cooking School in Scottsdale.

Now, Dempsey works every day to create original recipes just blocks from Arizona State University, where she once spent her summers in the classroom.

In addition to her knowledge of cooking and food science, Dempsey offers wines from across Arizona and from around the world to pair with almost any dish.

Wine pairings can be booked along with select classes and wines are available for purchase during shop hours.

Dempsey’s assistant, Khamari Jones, has been with her for almost a year and makes many of the dishes, including the Milk Bread rolls sold at the shop.

“I had so many assistants try working for me and do a stage period, but Khamari was the only one who lasted,” she said. “He has so much passion for baking, and I’m glad he’s stuck around.”

Dempsey’s work has gained recognition as she was given a proclamation in 2023 by Mayor Corey Woods where she was “D’Eclaired,” a Tempe Treasure by the city for her work in the community, supporting other small businesses and volunteering her talents for those in need.

“The city of Tempe is thankful to Tracy Dempsey for her involvement in the Tempe community and for being a great resource to other local, small businesses,” the proclamation in the front of the store reads.

The retail space is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dempsey sells baked goods, local art and other goods from small makers around the Valley.

Classes start at $85 per person and are held on Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m. monthly. Those interested can email Dempsey to reserve their spot.

To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Madeline Bates
Reporter | Tempe/East Phoenix

mbates@iniusa.org

Meet Madeline

Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).  

Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.

Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.

Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.

Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.