She was named Best Chef of the Year 2018 by Eater Dallas, also took top title at Dallas Observer Iron Fork 2018 and was featured in the Tacos of Texas docu-series. In 2019 Chef AQ was crowned winner at Taco Libre Dallas for her Flauta Taco and also won the wild card at Meat Fight for her smoked pork belly carnitas taco. In March of 2020 Chef AQ was asked to cook at the renowned James Beard House in New York serving up her specialty menu Masa Madness.
Chef AQ is at home in the Guadalajaran inspired José, which is the result of a collaboration between Woodhouse and Jose Noe Suro, of world renowned Ceramica Suro. She produces regionally inspired dishes from Jalisco, Oaxaca, Mexico City and beyond.
Chef AQ is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, where she worked in the prestigious kitchen of San Francisco Jardiniére under the tutelage of Chef and Co-Owner, Traci Des Jardins. Through her own personal quest for culinary knowledge, Chef AQ has developed skills true to Mexican cuisine that focus on local, seasonal ingredients transformed into beautifully plated designs that will create memorable dining experiences. A firm believer in modern Mexican, she has channeled her passion for creativity to build and layer complex flavors into every bite at José. As Executive Chef, AQ oversees the restaurant’s seasonal menu development and brings a fresh twist to many of José’s popular favorites.
In her role as Executive Chef, AQ has developed her own signature Mexican dishes including flavored masas that she created for her pop-up, Tacos de Tacha.