Today we’d like to introduce you to Frederick Johnson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Frederick. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
“I aim to feed the soul, from there life’s belly is full with peace & happiness!” – Chef Frederick Jerrod Johnson
Initially exposed to the intricacies of the culinary arts by my mother who has been a phenomenal well-respected cook since before my birth, to Chef Frederick Jerrod Johnson unknowingly at the time that my bloodline would truly be the foundation and future. Currently Personal Chef and a key team member for the two-time middleweight boxing champion of the world “Daniel Jacobs”, I am truly passionate about creating comforting multi-sensory culinary delights for clients as displayed through my abstract culinary art, decadent creations and tantalizing crafts. “To me; Passion is the connection to Intimacy and is impossible without Empathy!”
The youngest of five, food had always been around me while growing up even having a toy kitchen set and Easy Bake Oven, it was only natural that I became fascinated by the craft. I’ve had a rare opportunity to join a Culinary Arts Academy while just a teenager in the 11th grade before later progressing to Culinary School, then add in 19 years of diverse hands on culinary experience. I have consistently worked my way up the career ladder beginning still a student in culinary school as a Sous Chef in a small privately-owned restaurant. This would only be a pit stop as I moved on to more corporate structured companies with a focus on the business and details of culinary production. My career started over as a pantry cook, and in time with great efforts, I mastered my craft earning the respect and title of Executive Chef.
I received my first culinary class in high school under the instruction of the current Celebrity/Personal Chef, “Chef Richard L. Ingraham” whom I have always considered a great mentor and an example of the immense possibilities of what I too could accomplish on my own professional journey. Focused, selfless and highly motivated to inject passion and love as well as a flair for abstract creativity into every dish. Great peace Is derived with the enjoyment of pleasing others the best way that I know how to by offering them the most attractive, abstract tantalizingly delicious meals.
“After all, everything in life is an experience and since we eat to live, why not feel alive when we eat!”
My endeavors are to keep evolving by staying informed on the latest culinary practices and merging them with old school fundamental techniques and his abstract creative approach. Distinctive of my intimate service experiences is my determination to continually come up with authentic signature dishes while remaining true to my own comforting abstract fusing style.
I will also be launching a new exclusive Chef Apparel Brand “Master Of Craft” catering to all of the culinary creatives. Currently, I am working on a new Neighborhood Market concept in Atlanta aiming for late 2020.
Great, 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?
The road of my travels honestly has been a treacherous one, with years spent as a line cook in multiple different restaurant concepts. The hours were long and stressful barely getting a break or time to eat. I would say that the main struggles were finding stability within the culinary industry, work is much like a relationship with trying to find the perfect organization that had everything I needed and opportunities to grow while sharpening my own skills. There had to be sacrifices made of course, and one of which pained me most was the time taken away from being with my own family. Working most weekends and every holiday being mandatory, it hurt a lot to watch other people out with there children, friends and families. To look back on those days that I describe as “Being In The Trenches” real Grunt Work with little to no rewards.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about you and your career so far?
I currently own my own LLC “Chef Frederick Jerrod”. I am a Personal/Private Chef and I mainly specialize and service professional athletes, having clients with the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Falcons as well as a Championship Professional Boxer. I am known for my creativity, my abstract well outside of the box flavor combinations and traditional recreations. My pride comes with the satisfaction of my clients knowing that not only have I offered them an amazing culinary experience but I help educate at the same time making their personal lives a little easier. What I have learned from interactions with different clients is that what sets myself apart from others are my unique perspectives, acute attention to detail, and my empathetic selfless services.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I would have to say what has been, is and always will be the most important key to my success is my Vision. I am a Chef by profession with an acquired and honed skill set, but I was born an Artists with a natural gift to see things differently. The ability to create anything that manifests inside of my mind. I can truly see the flavor compositions of a dish without ever tasting them. Anyone could ask my mother since I was a little kid everything I ever wanted to do I saw it into existence with my Visions.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 404-910-3112
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @cheffrederickjerrod
Image Credit:
Chef Frederick Jerrod
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