Hidden Gems: Meet Waylon Jones of COOKINWITWAY LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Waylon Jones

Hi Waylon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Waylon Jones Sr. I’m originally from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. I moved to Atlanta, GA as a young child. I have always had a love for food. When available, I would watch cooking shows instead of cartoons. Fasting forward to finishing high school as one of the top basketball players in Georgia, I went on to play Division 1 Basketball for Southeast Missouri State University. I decided to turn PRO my junior year and I proceeded to Europe. While playing in Europe I spent a lot of my off days roaming the food markets or flying to surrounding countries learning the cuisine, and tasting amazing food. Due to repeat injuries in my left knee. I was forced to retire after taking my future health into consideration. I returned back to American after playing in Vienna, Austria with a start in the food industry on my mind. At least I thought that was what was next for me, but I actually had a good friend of mines Darrion Maxtion help me get a start into being a celebrity bodyguard and it took off. There was no time for cooking at this point, since I was back flying around the world touring with different artists this time. March 2020 after completing an album promo tour around the United States with an artist, I learned that the upcoming planned tours had been canceled due to COVID-19. By the end of April, I started COOKINWITWAY LLC. I finally had the time and the focus to open up the door to a dream of mines. Now Feb 2021 God has blessed me to remain booked day after day after day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well I’m sure it could of been a way rougher road. I’m blessed. Opening a cooking business is something I played over and over in my head my whole life. The start out woahs of underpricing, effective promotion was something I had to correct instantly. I’ve learned the rest from great mentors I’m blessed to be in touch with like Chef Tregaye and Chef Renee Blackman.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about COOKINWITWAY LLC?
COOKINWITWAY LLC. My motto is “Its the 1 NOT! the 2”. I want my food to take you to that happy place in your head and make you forget about the long day you may be had at work , or the stressful week you make have ahead of you. For this moment you are eating you are Allowed to be totally free and indulge unapologetically. Great food is an exciting amazing experience (when you have the opportunity to actually taste some) That’s one thing I pride myself on. I want to ensure that every bite embodies the love, hard work and attention of detail being place into it. I offer Catering for large and small events, Romantic Dinners for couples, I am a travel chef with recent bookings ranging from LA to Mexico.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Please check out @cookinwitway which is my Instagram and please like and share what you think is wonderful. I’m sure others will engage with the mouthwatering food. Word of mouth is still a great way of receiving new business also any community service events around Atlanta, GA I’m more than happy to help anyway I can.

Contact Info:

• Email: MRCEOWAY@icloud.com
• Instagram: @cookinwitway

Image Credits:
 StreetzG4G