Meet Chef Frederick Jerrod Johnson | Chef/Owner & CEO/Artist & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chef Frederick Jerrod Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef Frederick, what do you attribute your success to?
Having a clear vision of my dreams while planning and setting goals are keys to my success. Just like working in a kitchen environment where “Mise En Place” meaning having Everything In It’s Place is a vital part of daily operations. I have administered this principle of organization and preparation to every aspect of my professional career as well as personal life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Simply and plainly put yet far more intimate with understanding, I am a Artist or Creator. A creative mindset limitlessly wondering and imaginative while breaking all rules of “Can vs Cannot “, an attentive and bold exploration of possibilities. The road of my travels honestly has been a treacherous one, with years spent as a line cook in multiple different restaurant concepts. The hours were long and stressful barely getting a break or time to eat. I would say that the main struggles were finding stability within the culinary industry, work is much like a relationship with trying to find the perfect bond, a organization that had everything needed and opportunities to grow while sharpening my own skills. There had to be sacrifices made of course, and one of which pained me most was the time taken away from being with my own family. Working most weekends and every holiday being mandatory, it hurt a lot to watch other people out with there children, friends and families. Now able to look back on those days that I describe as real Grunt Work “Being In The Trenches”, in a true hospitality war is the greatest reward.

I am now entrepreneur and CEO of my own company “Chef Frederick Jerrod LLC”. A Personal & Private Chef mainly specializing and servicing professional athletes, having clients with major sports teams like the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons as well as a Professional Championship Boxer. I am known for my creativity, my bold abstract well outside of the box flavor combinations and traditional recreations. My pride comes with the satisfaction of my clients knowing that not only have I offered them an amazing exclusive culinary experience but I also help to educate at the same time making their personal lives a little easier, my imagining clients thoughts while feeling like a guest in their own homes.
Amongst many things I have learned from interacting and bonding with different clients is that what sets myself apart from others are my unique perspectives, acute attention to details, and my empathetic selfless services.
My endeavors are to keep evolving by staying informed on the latest culinary practices and merging them with old school fundamental techniques and a abstract creative approach.
Distinctive of my intimate service experiences is my determination to continually come up with authentic signature dishes while remaining true to my own comforting bold fusing style.
Soon I will also be launching a new exclusive Chef Apparel Brand “Master Of Craft” catering to all of the culinary creatives who desire to represent their passions far beyond the flames of the kitchen.
A project also currently in the works aiming to possibly launch around mid 2021 is a new organic juice/smoothie & parfait component of Master Of Craft. This brand extension is focused on assisting in balancing our lifestyles beginning with health & nutrition while learning to better understand the connections between Mind Body & Soul.

“Conscious Efforts + Potential = Better Self”

Future goals are to open a new Neighborhood Market concept in Atlanta catering to the local community in which I was born and raised.
Characteristics and qualities I feel have been essential to my success have been, are and always will be the most important key to my success is my vision and “My Faith” maintaining belief in myself. I am a Chef by profession with an acquired and honed skill set, but I was born an Artists with a natural gift to see things differently.
The ability to use intuitive freedoms of imagination, creative possibilities to manifests desires of my heart and mind. I can truly see the flavor compositions of a dish without first tasting them. Ask my mother about how I was as a curious little kid, everything that I ever wanted to accomplish I did so, then dreams come into existence with my focus and dedication.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta is evolving by the day with development in many different areas generating opportunities building a new diverse culture for the city. There are so many different & new experiences here. I would share with my bestie that Atlanta has many new things to offer making even a native like myself feel like a foreign new comer, embarrassed slightly for offering limited incite on things to do. I would request/suggest that we both grab a extra face mask (COVID-19), then began our weeklong excitement excursion on Atlanta’s upscale north side of town. From there we eat, drink, dance and vibe our way through the colorful heart of Midtown’s arts galleries, exploring creative cuisines bellies full leaving behind empty plates, soiled napkins and empty cocktail glasses.
The only way to conclude any duration of stay in Atlanta is to throw at least close to a weeks earnings high in the air at any of many adult entertainment venues speckled across the city’s vibrant nightlife.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Chef Reginald Massey is an amazing loving person contributing to his incredible culinary artistry, Reggie has been my big brother since the beginning of our professional journey back in 2005. Big Brother is a modest amount of respect that I could give for a man whom taught me the appropriate hand in which to hold a sauté pan, demonstrating the detailed attention and humility of a true Artist. My brother in arms throughout our own individual journeys we have both grown tremendously, Reggie still today is loved and considered a mentor with great wisdom and guidance well beyond the kitchen. Instagram; @chefmassey320

Website: www.chef-fjerrod.com

Instagram: @cheffrederickjerrod

Facebook: Chef Frederick Jerrod

Image Credits
Credit Chef Photo3 Cozymeal.com