Meet Jeremy Marc Anthony: Celebrity Chef, Musician & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeremy Marc Anthony and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeremy Marc Anthony, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
My talents have led me to three different walks of life that I believe all fall under the same umbrella of Creatives. Culinary, Music and Photography, each different but each require a certain talent and creativeness. I believe the outside world doesn’t understand the process one goes through to achieve the end product. When a client sends a request, “I just need one picture” or “Can you create a menu for this price range” they don’t quite understand the process it takes to achieve their request and don’t equate it to the cost we charge as creatives. For a photography shoot, to get that “one” photograph, we have to take the time to sit, map out the concept, build the set, lighting, work with wardrobe, hair and make-up then once everything is solid and on paper, it is transferred to the real thing. You spend hours setting up, shooting and then postproduction edits and if you don’t have a team, you end up doing the majority of the process outside of hair and make-up yourself. It is the same as a private chef. You spend hours creating a menu, ensuring nothing with spike an allergy, that the flavor profile make sense and has layers, designing the plating of the food and then you have to shop for everything needed which can be extremely time consuming. You have to prep, cook, plate and clean not only your prep kitchen but the actual kitchen where the meal is prepared. There is a solid process every creative goes through to achieve the best end product in their craft, we do not just get out of bed and pick up a tool and woolah, its complete, this is the thing I believe a lot of outsiders are missing or not understanding and for some it belittles our craft.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Jeremy Marc Anthony LLC’s art is about pushing your boundaries. I believe we are not meant to be comfortable and because of that I am always pushing myself out of that comfort zone, it is there where the art is born. When it comes to the culinary aspect of JMA, I strive to introduce new concepts and flavor profiles to my clients. I want to open their palette and educate them especially now during the COVID-19 Pandemic. With virus numbers still at an all-time high and many travel restrictions in place, why not bring the flavors and culture of other countries to you in the comfort of your home. We can have brunch in New Orleans or dessert in Dubai, Fish & Chips from London or Ackee & Saltfish from Jamaica. Photography is no exception to this, art is supposed to make you think, take you to another world, sometimes it is supposed to make you uncomfortable and wake you up to the realities of life, I strive to find all these things, and this is what I believe sets me apart. Through this I’ve learned to stop, listen, observe and record, I’ve seen that things are not always what they seem and there is always more, to dig deeper. My brand tells a story, more than what meets the eye, it tells my truth and is unapologetically me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Just so happens that my cousin from Iceland is planning to visit me, here is some of what we’ll be doing. Seeing that I reside in a city that is close to two other major cities we will do a little traveling. We’d start in Huntsville, AL to see Personal Trainer and Gym Owner Phillip Robison for a HITT Class followed by a trip to The Veggie where Chef Adyre will prepare and amazing vegan recovery meal to get us going for the day. A trip to Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment district, a walk downtown in Big Springs Park and a trip to the Huntsville Museum of Art all to work up an appetite for lunch. We’d head to Bridge Street to dine at Connors and then do some light shopping to help work off the calories. A visit to Alabama A&M University, a quick hike through Madison County Nature Trail and a visit to Personal Trainer Robert Hilliard III for a mobility session. But this is just the beginning, we’ll take a trip to both Nashville, TN and Atlanta, GA to eat at all my favorite spots, shop, explore and just be. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been many people that have played a role in me getting to where I am. My father Dr. Vilroy R. McBean and aunts Janet, Pat and Rosemarie McBean, Valerie Davidson, my childhood mentor Raymond Gray and college professor and mentor Tamika D. Williams. Positive role models such as Steven Verner and my god mother Sherri A. Bullard-Wheeler have all made an impact in my life, but my peers are also a great reason why I am where I am today. The push and advice I have received from Adrian D. Davis, Pastor, Mentor and Motivational Speaker and Danielle Lavon owner of To the Moon Publishing has been nothing short of amazing. Chef Natasha of iChef LLC, Chef Melody Forbes and Chef Kenneth Ray Jones Jr., have all pushed me to expand my reach and experience as it pertains to food. I’ve dived headfirst into a world that I only want to go deeper in. And last but not least, my brother Zack Vann, to keep going no matter what.

Website: www.jeremymarcanthony.com

Instagram: @ChefJMA @JeremyMarcAnthony

Facebook: Jeremy Marc Anthony

Youtube: Jeremy Marc Anthony

Image Credits
Jeremy Marc Anthony of JMA LLC and Mike Quarles of Mike Lu Photography