We recently had the chance to connect with Jeremy “Chef J-Perk” Perkins and have shared our conversation below.
Jeremy “Chef J-Perk”, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Interesting question! Right now in my life, I am embarking on my running journey. I’m not setting out to run a marathon or anything, but I am working on developing the ability to run distances farther than I ever have desired to do. It’s challenging, mentally and physically, but I am embracing the process and it is getting better and more fulfilling every time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi Everyone! My name is Jeremy, also known as “Chef JPerk” on social media, and I am the owner of Southern Barbecue Boys located in South Florida. Southern Barbecue Boys was founded in 2020, and has continued to evolve and develop itself into a part-time catering endeavor that honestly has shocked me to see grow year over year. Being born in Louisiana, at the core of this adventure, my goal is to provide quality and well prepared food to anyone interested in enjoying the true essence of the South. I want to bring the dishes that are so prevalent, not only in Louisiana, but all across the southeast US that have such presence, and history, to as many people as I can.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
Without question, my father taught me the most about work from a young age. As a child from divorced parents, living with my dad led to many times tagging along with him while he was working late nights or weekends. I know that seeing this helped to instill in me my drive to get up and get it done. I have always been very motivated when I am passionate about something, so this only amplified my drive and pursuit of my goals. What I have learned also though, is that one must balance the desired of accomplishment with the satisfaction of the now. Whenever I feel that I am hyper-focused on things, I will remind myself that what I am setting out to accomplish will come to be if it is meant to, but to remember that there is more in this world I am involved in and required to be apart of, and allow myself the ability to rest, stop, and breathe along the way. It hasn’t been the easiest adjustment, but knowing the importance, it’s something I work on improving and maintaining.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I had the ability to talk to a younger version of myself, to say one kind thing, it would simply be to say that you matter. Often times, as a young man, you are not reminded of such a simple concept. Further evolved, this then allows the voices of the world to begin to enter and cause doubt inside you. At one of the most pivotal times in your life, when making sense of all these new discoveries, questioning yourself, is one of the last things you want living inside your heart and mind. I would remind a younger me that you matter, and that you are capable and qualified, and don’t ever lose sight of that. Don’t let others try and define your journey, because their journey isn’t the same as yours and it was never meant to be. Know that you matter, and what you’re truly capable of!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I believe that my closest friends would say that accomplishment really matters to me. Beyond accomplishment, I think that they might say that friendships/relationships matter to me, and also loyalty. Besides those, I know that someone would say that pizza really matters to me, because it does! And music, especially R&B matters very much also. Accomplishment I feel would be said because I feel that many would feel that I am a determined and driven person, always looking to reach a new goal, develop myself more, and constantly planning to achieve the next step on the path. I know that loyalty is very important to me, honoring your word and commitments, doing not what you always want to, but what you should and must, more often than not. This to me is tied to the management of friendships and other relationships, in business or your personal life, family included. Why did I mention pizza, well, because pizza is life and always will be! Everyone knows there isn’t a day that I wouldn’t love even just a slice, but again life is about balance. Music is life, especially 90s R&B so you will likely always hear or see me listening to some music, from the moment I wake up, until I fall asleep. If I can have my headphones on, or have music in the background, I will. Always.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am gone, I truly hope that my story was able to be written as deeply and at length to have done as much as I can. I hope that people will say that I was a man of passion, power, and purpose, above all else. That alone, to be distinguished using those words would mean that I did what I set out to do. I hope that it will be said that I reached and touched people’s lives, and brought them impact whoever I was able to do for them. I don’t care for my story to be fully one about monetary accomplishment, but more about the substance of my time, over the time that I have afforded to me. I do hope and believe that Southern Barbecue Boys will be apart of my story to highlight one of my greatest successes, but definitely not my only. Through food, my culinary ambitions, I hope that I am able to preserve the essence of black southern soul food, educate and inspire those to come after about the importance of these very foods and dishes, and to be a supporter of the actions to help the story to continue to go forward in the future. I hope that my story is rooted in good, good moments, good memories, and good put out into the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @southernbbqboys / @chefjperk
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChefJPerk
