Chef Jessica’s passion for cooking started long before she could read a recipe.  Following in the footsteps of a family that loved to prepare meals and serve others, she grew up learning the art of the kitchen from her mother and grandparents.   She has worked in many different restaurants, resorts, churches, and homes including Marriott, Hyatt, Walt Disney World, Darden, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Christ’s Church of Mandarin , and she has served on staff as a personal chef for software developers in their Lake Tahoe home.  These experiences have helped develop her culinary skills and enabled her to fill her role as a cooking enthusiast in our community. 

As a graduate of Stanton College Preparatory School , she considered Jacksonville , Florida her true home.  She attended college at Florida State University and was recruited by Walt Disney World to participate in the college program where she earned a “Ducktorate” degree.  Since returning to Jacksonville eight years ago, she has served as the Executive Chef for First Coast Supply and as a consultant for award winning restaurants and GE for whom she was also a spokesperson.  She has become a regular featured guest on the Channel 4 Morning Show, has a weekly radio show on Tuesday mornings on FM 88.1 The Promise, and has been a guest on other local radio stations.  Through these television and radio shows she encourages others to nurture their families and nourish them with delicious meals and tasty treats.  She has also been featured in several publications including Virtuous One Magazine, H Magazine, The Florida Times Union, and Jacksonville Magazine.   She is certified as a Master Food and Nutrition Educator by the University of Florida through the Duval County Extension Service.  She starred in a video to help promote healthy cooking by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.  This year will also be her third year as a featured presenter on the Celebrity Cooking Stage at the Southern Women’s Show. 

Jessica’s true passion is teaching and for the last four years she has done this through a very successful summer camp program for children.  She launched her first camp in 2003. The participants learn not only cooking skills but also etiquette, sewing, gardening, art, and the scriptures. In addition Jessica teaches a weekly cooking class for the Christ’s Church Homeschool Group and has catered or taught adult classes for many local groups including the Mandarin Garden Club, The Newcomer’s Club, The Red Hat Society, The Retired NFL Player’s Association, and several churches.