Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Cotten.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Jennifer Cotten – born and raised in Mississippi! Cooking has been a lifelong passion of mine. From the time I was a little girl, I would sit in my grandmothers’ kitchen watching both of them as they lovingly prepared food for the people they loved most. As I became older, I would help as they taught me techniques that had been passed down from their own grandmothers. Now, I’m preparing food for the people that I love most, friends and family. Food is so much a part of my life that it is literally the essence of my being – I LOVE EVERYTHING FOOD.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a bumpy road – like unexpected potholes here and there but not anything that couldn’t be navigated. The biggest struggle was making the decision to walk away from teaching to really follow this dream. I loved my students and knew I was there for a purpose, however, my passion for cooking was slowly pulling me away from the classroom.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well. Hi, my name is Jennifer and I created Juice and Jen back in 2017! Juice and Jen embodies community. The Juice comes from loved ones that continues to push me to different heights making it possible for the creativity behind my brand. Juice and Jen provides cooking essentials such as cookbooks and kitchenware along with hosting events. I’m MORE than a chef; I am a creator. I create wonderful experiences through the food that is cooked with a little bit of butter and lots of love.
I am also the founder and co-host of this really cool podcast called #WineKnotWednesdays! WineKnot is essentially used as a play on words which means “Why Not.” A group of friends and I used to host dinner parties once every few months showcasing our many cooking talents over tons and tons of wine. We all used to work at this restaurant together that served so much wine and great food. Go figure. Anyway, this is how #WineKnotWednesdays was created.
Although it became a podcast, I still have always incorporated wine and food into the conversation because I’m a chef (not classically trained but self-proclaimed) and a bomb-ass creative so, wine knot, right?! My love for food goes beyond the taste. I love to create! I love to take what I already have and show my peers how to take it up a notch and make something magical and worth having AT HOME!
All and all you can find me somewhere catering events, hosting private dinners, or simply entertaining my friends over wine and great conversation. Feel free to catch that conversation on any streaming platform that you may listen to podcast cause #wineknot?! 😉
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First off, Thank You God of course! Nothing is ever possible without Him! My grandmothers, OMG! I talk about them in both of my cookbooks and, well really everything I do. They are the reason why food tastes so good! My family! I’m from Mississippi and my last name is Cotten – those Cottens throw down! I often travel back and forth for events and my parents and siblings are always ready to help! My childhood friend who is a chef of all chefs Jonnessa (@masterchefjb) is my dear friend and mentor – anything I need she’s always always one call away! My best friends are always listening to my bizarre ideas while encouraging me to just go for it and never allowing me to give up! I mean I could really go on for days about my village – they won’t let me give up. They allow my “wheels to turn” and bounce ideas off of them, they are my focus groups, they are my taste testers, my everything, honestly.
Pricing:
- Cookbooks start at $15
- Wine starts at $20
- Catering starts at $15 per person
- Private Dinner starts at $250
- Cooking classes start at $65
Contact Info:
- Email: Getjuicedbyjen@gmail.com
- Website: JuiceandJen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaybeecot/
- Facebook: Facebook.com/jaybeecot
- Twitter: Twitter.com/jaybeecot
- SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/wineknotwednesdays
Image Credits:
Lindell Ware
Ahmad Sweeney
Delicia Walker
