Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamarius Banks.
Jamarius, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was a kid, my Annie Lou was always the one in the kitchen preparing meals for the holidays. I was intrigued as to what she was doing in the kitchen because it always smelled phenomenal and tasted so good. I wanted to help but she would always tell me no which only piqued my interest, so I would secretly watch her every move while she was in the kitchen. After constantly asking one day, she finally said yes and that’s the day I fell in love with cooking. While in the kitchen with her, I started developing my own style. When I was a senior in high school, The Art Institute of Atlanta came to my school and talked to us about studying to get a culinary degree and making a career out of it. Without any hesitation I signed up, graduated, and since then I’ve worked at some of the most popular restaurants in Atlanta and I’ve had opportunities to work alongside some of the greatest chefs. I’ve recently come to start my own catering company 39th on Ollie St where I cook for different clients whether it’s for a dinner for two or for an event. Starting this company was the best decision I’ve made in my career because I get to build personal relationships and bring people together with my food.
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?
Growing up in poverty was the most challenging obstacle I’ve faced. I grew up with a single mother who had to take care of everything on her own.
Please tell us about 39th on Ollie St.
39th on Ollie St is a company that provides 5-star dining in the comfort of your own home. My specialty is Southern cuisine with a French twist, I’m known for is my close attention to detail which is an advantage when dealing with food and deciding on what flavors to choose. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come along in my career. I went from having no job or clientele to building a brand and having dedicated clients that I’ve built personal relationships with. My personality and my ability to read people is what sets me apart from others. It aides in helping me decide on what and how to cook something for a client based on the impression I get from them and what I think they would like.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Thanksgiving dinners at Annie Lou’s house.
Contact Info:
- Email: JamariusBanks@gmail.com
- Instagram: chefjbanks
- Facebook: Jamarius ChefJay Banks
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