Our family loves the Chef of Love, Jernard Wells! We first learned of Chef Wells from his performance on Cutthroat Kitchen, especially the Evilicious Tournament. We then followed his progress and near victory on the most recent season of Food Network Star where he finished in 2nd place. Chef Wells is known as the “Chef of Love” as he believes that “food and love go hand in hand” and we couldn’t agree more. Enjoying food together as a family, especially food you’ve worked together to create, is truly a special blessing. With his joyous, genuine, and charming demeanor, Chef Wells knows all about food and family as an Executive Chef based out of Atlanta, a best selling author, and parent of 9 children with his wife of 16 years. He is a perfect addition to our #FarmtoFamilyFoodChain series.
Our #8isEnoughQuestions Farm to Family Food Chain series with farmers, chefs, retailers, and more. Previous Farm to Family Food Chain interviews have included Chef Jonathon Sawyer, Chef Justin Warner, Molly Kroiz of Georges Mill Farm Artisan Cheese, “Cooking Priest” Father Leo Patalinghug, Chef Fabio Viviani, Chef Marc Murphy and Jesse Straight from Whiffletree Farm. For this 8isEnoughQuestions interview, each question was written and asked by one of our Full Van Fun family members and answered directly by Chef Jernard Wells.
1. How did it feel to finish in 2nd place for Food Network Star?
To win the title of Runner-Up is a high accomplishment to achieve I’m honored to hold that title and represent my family, Legacy and Food Network. Everyone is a winner on the show especially if you make it to the top 3.
2. What is the age range of your children and what are their favorite foods?
My children range from 21, 18, 17, 15, 14, 12, 10, 9 & 7 there favorite foods would be Pepperoni Pizza with Buffalo Mozzarella, Lemon Pepper Hot wings, Chipotle Smoked Pork Chops, Cajun fried Chicken, Strawberry Salad.
3. What do you cook like?
I’m more of a Comfort food cooker, but I love spicy food.
Shrimp & Grits with Andouille Sausage (Photo credit: Chef Jernard Wells)
4. If you had to choose a Halloween candy to add into one of your dishes, what would you choose and how would you use it?
Candy Corn coated meatballs on skewers I would melt the candy corn down with butter, add hickory smoke bbq sauce, and toss them in it.
5. Besides chicken, what would you substitute for shrimp in jambalaya for someone who has a seafood allergy?
I would use Andouille sausage & diced Ham.
6. Using your Amazing Box, what would YOU make for dinner?
Using my Le Chef Amours Amazing Box I would make Lemon Pepper Parmesan baked potato skins, with my all natural Lemon Pepper Parmesan Seasoning that’s included in the box and use my potato peeler to shave my potatoes, I would then take bell peppers, cut the heads off, use my All purpose seasoning that’s included in the box to season ground browned beef, to stuff in peppers, place in oven, and bake for 45 mins.
7. Do you like pumpkin spice?
Yes I like pumpkin spice, I create a pumpkin spice and Rosemary roasted lamb.
8. With all of your success, what are you planning next?
With all the success that life as giving me my goal is to continue bridging my love for cooking by Faith, Family, Food & Fun in every household across America currently I’m tour with my team of Chef’s called the Hit Squad & a Southern Soirée I’m also the Host of the underground Culinary Fight Club. We also dedicate our time to feeding the homeless through the Non For Profit organization Fight 2 Feed. I will also be feeding the homeless in a celebrity dinner called the grand feast in Atlanta November 6th.
Thank you Chef Jernard Wells for a special and spicy inspired #8isEnoughQuestions interview. Full Van Fun is all about families, parents and children together sharing farm to family food, epic travel, great music, and more. If you’ve missed any of our great fall related content, don’t forget to check out posts like our “Perfect Fall Day in the Shenandoah Valley”, our #8isEnoughQuestions interviews with James Beard award winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer or turkey farmer Whiffletree Farm, or our farm to family recipes like “Sugary Spicy Delicata Squash” or “Cheesy Herb-Roasted Potatoes”! Sign up for our mailing list so you don’t miss any more of our Full Van Fun posts and follow Us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for even more interesting content.
