Today we’d like to introduce you to Amaris Jones. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Chef Jones spent her life honing the perfect iteration of the modern soul food concept. Through years in industries where hospitality could get you everywhere, she stuck to her roots with traditional fried chicken, mac and cheese, and sweet potato pie favorites, and incorporated them into her
African diaspora-inspired menu at her first outpost, “Southstreet “restaurant 2012 to 2013, which kept celebrities, athletes, VIPs, and locals coming back for more. Her cuisine has been favored by the likes of Martha Stewart to Lebron James and she has participated in the Food Network sponsored SOBE Wine and Food Festival.
Jones is also credited for creating healthy meal plans and helping famed rapper Rick Ross lose over 80 pounds and was featured in Ross New York Times’ best-seller “Hurricanes.” She has traveled across the globe to Istanbul Turkey to participate in the Food for Diplomacy program. While in Instanbul, she taught a class on the history of American Soul food traditions and prepared a private dinner for global diplomats.
For three years in a row, Jones was selected by BET networks as a featured chef for the Leading Women Defined Conference and BET Hip-hop Awards. Throughout her career, She has landed catering gigs with the NFL, The NBA, American Express, Chase Bank, Pérez Art Museum Miami, and Art
Basel.
Amaris has been giving her entire life, starting as a child at her father’s Church, which donated to and fed disadvantaged communities in the heart of Philadelphia. As an adult, Her charity work and fundraising support have been seen thru Dress for Success, Common Threads, Camilla house, Perez Museum fund for African American Art, Honey Shine, Special Olympics, local schools and churches
Her cuisine has been featured in media outlets such as Complex Media, W magazine, Fuse Network, GQ magazine, The Fader, First We Feast, BET, Miami Magazine, CBS, Haute Living, Miami Herald, Miami New Times, Huffington Post, FOXNews, FOX Sports, and many more.
Between her talents of fusing family recipes, her ability to throw a party, and always being the consummate hostess, you can find chefs curating guest chef dinners and catering events throughout South Florida and around the globe.
Nov. 2020, Chef Jones recently appeared on the tv series “Food Fantasies” which aired on Oprah Winfrey Network. You may see her culinary magic on episodes one and two available on-demand and on the Own Tv youtube channel. 2015 Chef Jones launched a pop-up organic fried chicken concept called “Chick N Jones” , which was featured at the Iconic forge restaurant on Sundays, Panther Coffee, Delano Hotel, Soho Beach House, etc.
In 2021, she opened her first permanent location “Chick N Jones” location inside Time Out Market Miami. Amaris is also an advisor/ equity partner of new organic/vegan cereal brand called “Off Limits” which is the first cereal brand that features female mascots on its boxes.
Prior to culinary, Chef Jones was a lifestyle manager/event producer in south Florida, catering to music industry vets Sean Diddy Combs and Timbaland.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Opening a restaurant definitely has its challenges. In today’s climate, we are faced with higher food costs and challenges with labor.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a culinary artist. I am most proud of my ability to continue to strive for greatness in my industry. Most people that know me, know that I have mastered the art of connection for others.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I think my favorite childhood memory is when I got to play theater with my cousins.
We would recreate plays and movies and perform in front of my family. We would spend hours writing and practicing our parts/routines in the basement.
I have always been a fan of the performing arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: amaris-jones.com and Chicknjones.com
- Instagram: @amarisjones
- Facebook: Amaris Jones and Chick N Jones
- Twitter: @amarisjones
Image Credits
James Wooley, Brand New Agency, and The Oprah Winfrey Network
