Today we’d like to introduce you to James Watford.
James, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Cooking is my passion and purpose! I come from a family of great Chef’s. My great grandfather William Clark was a great Chef in the early 60’s and 70’s. I have several uncles, Phillip, and Fred Mitchell, that are successful Executive Chef’s. I am following an extraordinary history of culinary excellence that laid the foundation for me to succeed.
I was born is St. Louis Mo. I am the oldest of four children from my mother. I grew up in California. My first experience with actually cooking food was when my mother who was working two jobs at the time. She would call home and say “James take the chicken out the refrigerator cut it up and put it in the oven”. This was because by the time she would make it home it would be well past our bedtime and my siblings and I should probably be sleeping. Mom was doing what she had to do for us so I had to kick. she trusted me to do it at the age of 10. I was good with it because I always watched her make meals for us even when it seemed like there wasn’t much she made it happen. I never thought that I would become a Chef I always wanted to be an FBI agent growing up. Thank God, I didn’t with my family I would have been more like Denzel in Training Day, Lol. My first job at the age of 15 was working in this Italian restaurant bussing tables. My interest quickly took me into food prepping for them but that just meant working in the freezer cutting, chopping, and pounding different meats and vegetables. I learned a lot working there.
Although it was short-lived, I excelled into the kitchen learning much more. I attended the University of Missouri St. Louis, majoring in Criminal Justice. As God would have it that was not the path that I was set on. I was directed to Houston five years ago to pursue what is now my purpose and passion. Without the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I know I would not be here today. My food philosophy is simple: The best ingredients, handled with respect, love, and care. To create you a food / culinary experience of a lifetime.
I would like to invite you on my food journey. Creating smiles across the world one bite, one meal, one Chef James Experience at a time.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. The biggest struggle was being a way from my children. I owe the world to the mothers of my children. Without them, I could not have been here pursuing my dreams. It will never go unappreciated. They are forever in my prayers for being the best mothers my kids could have. Also at the time friends and family. Moving to a city where you don’t know anyone can be a bit overwhelming.
One of the biggest struggles was trying to find, build, establish and keep clients.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about CookingWithChefJames – what should we know?
We offer great meal prep plans to clients all over Houston and surrounding areas. Our cooking classes are exciting and full of culinary learning. The fine dining aspect is so amazing. It’s called The Chef James Experience. Fine dining in the comfort of your own home. All this come with what I like to consider a fusion of food worlds. Another side of our great culinary experience is my baby, Cooking After Dark. It’s a food experience like no other! Grown and sexy, live music, entertainment with food with three other great Chefs that I met here in Houston. Chef Gloria Perkins, Chef Edwin Henderson, and Chef Kshetreya Williams. I am most proud of the fact that we can help our clients deal with health and life-changing situation via our love for food.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Customer services is everything! I like to always say to my new clients, “ it’s like a relationship, tell me if it’s something you don’t like or want to change we can fix it.” You should always be respectful, friendly and inviting. Willing to never stop learning or take advise from the right people or person.
Contact Info:
- Website: CookingWithChefJames.com
- Phone: 3143057310
- Email: chefjamesshow@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookingwithchefjames/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookingwithChefJamesShow
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