Kommunity Spotlight: Chef Jewel Johnson
Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Jewel Johnson has had a passion for food her entire life. As a young girl, she would watch cooking shows with her father, and remembers telling herself that someday she would replicate the extraordinary edible creations she saw on The Food Network.
Chef Johnson never strayed from her dream and eventually attended Johnson and Wales University in pursuit of a culinary degree. Afterward, she returned to New York, working at different restaurants and bakeries, in the hope of gaining even more experience.
“My goal one day is to have my own place, my own restaurant or bakery,” Johnson explains. “So I wanted to work as many aspects of the restaurant industry as possible.”
And that she did — Johnson has experience in everything from dishwashing to serving, and from shift supervising to savory and pastry cooking, all in an effort to be a well-rounded boss for her future establishment.
Today, Johnson continues to push herself as a chef. This year she will be studying for her certification as a Master Sugar Artist, a title which can only be earned after a ten-hour, hands-on competition. Out of 100 people, only three are chosen to receive their certification.
But as Johnson explains, “Life is full of challenge. If you get the opportunity to do something, do it. You’re never going to regret trying to be something you want to be, in the end.”
Johnson thinks about food artistically, creating innovative, synesthetic eating experiences; Johnson’s version of a classic white wedding cake includes extracts of rose, lavender, chamomile, and jasmine to create the sensory perception of a bouquet of flowers, even before the first bite.
Johnson’s innovative cuisine captures her belief that food should be experienced through all five senses, and that, “If you don’t put love into what you’re doing, people aren’t going to love what you make.”
Chef Jewel Johnson competed in Komeeda’s Chef Showdown VII: Mission — Soul Food, which took place on Thursday, February 8th, 2018 at The Food Arts Center (FEDCAP). She placed second with her Banana Pudding Eclair, and Komeeda is excited to welcome her to NYC’s food kulture Kommunity!
To keep up with Chef Jewel Johnson, follow her on Instagram @chefj88 .
If you missed out on the last Chef Showdown and want in on the Fun Eating Experience, head to Komeeda.com! The upcoming Chef Showdown 8 — Mission VEGAN tickets are on sale now! Click here.
