September 26, 2014
Celebrity Chef Talks ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ and Building His Brand From Ground Up
I’ve learned to be patient because you have to be on ice for a lot of time where you can’t talk. So be patient and basically learn how to read people because even though it’s a team sport it’s still a competition. I also learned to not believe everything you see or hear.
Every success journey comes with a lot of bumps in the road. I read that you were once homeless. Can you briefly sum up your journey from overcoming homelessness to being on a nationally syndicated show and having your own successful catering company?
Yes, I was homeless when I was young, from 12 to around 15, and then when I was 18 to around 22. So I had no pressure in life. Everything I did I basically pushed myself through. Going through that made me feel like I can do anything. I went from hopping around from house to house and sleeping in hallways and in my car to starting my own company and being noticed by Fox and The Food Network. It makes me feel good because I’m getting credit for something that I love.
For someone who is going through rough times right now and maybe can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, what advice do you have to help them to keep following their passion?
I would just say pray, believe in God, set goals, and have a plan to meet those goals. Stay focused and don’t give up because you can be that close and not even see it and you’re ready to give up.
Thus far, what would you say has been your biggest career highlight?
One of my biggest career highlights is probably being on Fox because it’s a national platform.
You’ve been in the business for how long?
Eleven years.
Knowing the lessons that you know now, what advice would you give yourself 11 years ago?
I would tell myself to start my business earlier, and I would have read more on how to start a company. I’ve only had my company for a year and a half now, but if I had done this five years ago I would have a lot more. And nowadays, social media is so powerful that that’s another way of getting yourself out there.
A lot of chefs don’t have a brand and think that because [they] can cook people are going to love [them] and support [them]. But when you have a brand, that’s what people really know. When people see your brand they know your standards and what to expect.
To find out how Chef J.R. is doing on Hell’s Kitchen, tune into Fox on Wednesday nights at 8 EST.