We had the good fortune of connecting with Chef Jayaun Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chef Jayaun, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The feeling of being able to express myself through my work. One of the most important things for me when it ever came to anything in life was always being myself. Since in culinary arts you get to speak to others through food, I knew that was always something that I loved about this path.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what’s set me apart from others in my career is the professionalism, passion, and personality that I put into my work. It’s a complete experience when you get to work with me in person. Anyone can make good food, but what are the things that people can remember about you afterwards. Getting to where I am today has not been the easiest road at all. I’m only 28 and since the age of 18 I have invested all of the money that I have made up until this point back into me and my business. That’s not easy for a lot of people my age or even older than me so I take a lot of pride in that! I haven’t lived the typical years of someone in their 20s this day and age. I don’t shop for myself a lot, I don’t get to take leisure vacations, I can’t hang out all of the time. So sacrifice has been a big part of my journey so far.

 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Any chance that I get I like to give props to my “uncle” Joey. My uncle Joey is someone my mom introduced me to as a young boy, and since the day we met he took me in as his own nephew. I spent so much time around him growing up as he was still navigating through life as a young entrepreneur. My father wasn’t around growing up so I looked at him more as a father rather than just an uncle. That’s the man who taught me how to tie a tie, how to conduct myself in business, how to be a gentleman, to handle money, the list can go on!

Website: www.u-hungry.com/chefjay

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjayaun?igsh=MTZhNGdyY3Y3czRu&utm_source=qr

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.