Darcy Dudley has fond childhood memories of his grandmother’s home in Georgia. In fact, their grandmothers’ delectable homemade recipes heavily influenced both Dudleys. “They were the loving head of the families,” Dudley said. “I remember going [to my grandmother’s house] and sitting there for hours watching her prepare things from scratch.” So when the couple moved to Allen in 2007, they said they were quick to notice a void in the local dining scene. Today, the Dudleys own Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine off US 75 near Parker Road in Plano. The restaurant opened Jan. 25 and showcases specialties from the matriarchs of both families (Pearl and Julia). The Dudleys partnered with Top Chef contestant Tre Wilcox, former executive chef at once was the Village Marquee Texas Grill & Bar in Dallas, who will serve as Dudley’s culinary director. Jermaine Brown, former executive sous chef at Dallas-based Abacus restaurant, will now be using his more than 16 years of experience in Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine’s kitchen as the executive chef. Brown has also worked as a sous chef at Marquee Grill and Loft 610. He said he enjoys experimenting with Southern spices and sauces for poultry and seafood. The menu includes items ranging from a special shrimp and sausage gumbo and crab cakes with lemon mustard sauce to Pearl's Red Velvet Cake, a tribute to Dudley's grandmother and her recipe. With signature items like peach cobbler and jack cheddar grits, the upscale restaurant boasts mid-range price points and is a testament to the current dining trends in Plano, Dudley said. “It’s very fulfilling and rewarding [to be] working toward your dream and seeing them come to fruition,” Dudley said. “[Julia and Pearl] are probably looking down smiling upon it; it kind of brings tears to my eyes.”