Interview | Featured Recipes
Interview
Q: What influenced you to pursue a career as a chef?
A: It was already a way of life! I had worked my way through college cooking and seemed to really enjoy it.
Q: Describe your cooking style?
A: Progressive-Southern and regional
Q: Who taught you the most about food and cooking?
A: My grandmother. This was my first taste of any sort of experience.
Q: Describe your journey to get where you are.
A: I worked my way through many kitchens in Mississippi, South Carolina, and now Tennessee. I have now been at the Hermitage Hotel for almost 7 years, but this October I plan to set out on my own to open The Delta Meat Market in Cleveland, OH – The heart of the Mississippi Delta. DMM will be a full service butcher shop, bakery, and provisions store that features what Mississippi artisans have been making for years.
Q: Really interesting. Can you tell us more about this adventure you are embarking on?
A: The Delta Meat market is a startup specialty grocery/butcher shop. We will sell a wide variety of hand crafted products, meats, and services all over the Mississippi Delta. Our customers will no longer have to drive for miles to purchase quality meat products. Our unique ability to source artisan raised beef, chicken, and pork will quickly become a necessity of the locals. We will grind fresh beef daily, cure hams, and house smoke our own bacon all at an affordable price. Additionally, we will house the regions finest hand crafted cheeses and specialty grocery items. This is just the tip of the ice berg as far as what we will be capable of!
Q: If you could choose any chef dead or alive to spend the day with cooking, who would it be and why?
A: Mama Rose Durden. She hands down has been one of the most influential chefs I have ever met. Her hard work and determined attitude once exuded through the kitchen. Defiantly something I wish I could bottle and give to future cooks and chefs alike.
Q: What is your favorite Chefwear item and why?
A: The Diplomat Jacket. It’s elegant design is comfortable on both sides of the line!
Q: What would your last meal on Earth be?
Chicken and Dumplings
Q: What advice do you have for the future chefs out there?
A: Heads Down, listen, and take notes!
Featured Recipes:
MeMaw’s Bread and Butter Pickles