Meet The Chef
I’m Jes Thomas. It has been so fun to teach through my segments on WBIR - Knoxville's NBC affiliate, the University of Tennessee's Community Cooking classes, Instagram, in-home classes and in event spaces. I have also had a blast working behind the scenes on Food Network's CHOPPED & Magnolia Network!
WHY IS YOUR NAME SOUL FOOD?
My philosophy is that the soul is nurtured when you are at peace, and feeding your body properly adds to your well-being. My faith has been my motivation to love others deeply through hospitality. Truly, food for the soul is wholistic.
WHY FOOD?
My food journey began while working in New York City in advertising and public relations, ordering fancy foods for picky clients. Working in such a global community, I savored foods from around the world. My cooking repertoire followed suit by learning to cook through many avenues, from magazines, Food Network, and occasional classes covering chocolate, Thai food, bagels, croissants and pretzels. After taking a culinary boot camp class in NY to cover all the basics, I starting working as a personal chef. I also love media and am thankful for the opportunity to be featured frequently on Live at Five @4.
Mass cooking was a weekly event for more than year, preparing lunches for hungry college students at my church. Additionally, feeding my family of 5 plus helping cater many functions in the community from showers to graduation parties to rehearsal dinners has taught me much about cooking for others. Only from experience could I learn to feed so many, both for body and soul. This lead to my personal chef business for a few years.
DO YOU OFFER SERVICES?
Sorry, I don't cater large events. just small dinner parties. But mainly I want to help people who are not into cooking.
Many people want to learn to cook, so I schedule cooking classes to help you learn the skills you need to cook for yourself.
Additionally, I love a party! If you would like to have people over and serve them homemade food but don't have the time, I can do interactive dinner parties where you and your guests can assemble delicious meals. Check out my offerings for cooking classes an menus above.
I am ServSafe Certified and a previous member of the American Personal and Private Chef Association.
WHY IS YOUR NAME SOUL FOOD?
My philosophy is that the soul is nurtured when you are at peace, and feeding your body properly adds to your well-being. My faith has been my motivation to love others deeply through hospitality. Truly, food for the soul is wholistic.
WHY FOOD?
My food journey began while working in New York City in advertising and public relations, ordering fancy foods for picky clients. Working in such a global community, I savored foods from around the world. My cooking repertoire followed suit by learning to cook through many avenues, from magazines, Food Network, and occasional classes covering chocolate, Thai food, bagels, croissants and pretzels. After taking a culinary boot camp class in NY to cover all the basics, I starting working as a personal chef. I also love media and am thankful for the opportunity to be featured frequently on Live at Five @4.
Mass cooking was a weekly event for more than year, preparing lunches for hungry college students at my church. Additionally, feeding my family of 5 plus helping cater many functions in the community from showers to graduation parties to rehearsal dinners has taught me much about cooking for others. Only from experience could I learn to feed so many, both for body and soul. This lead to my personal chef business for a few years.
DO YOU OFFER SERVICES?
Sorry, I don't cater large events. just small dinner parties. But mainly I want to help people who are not into cooking.
Many people want to learn to cook, so I schedule cooking classes to help you learn the skills you need to cook for yourself.
Additionally, I love a party! If you would like to have people over and serve them homemade food but don't have the time, I can do interactive dinner parties where you and your guests can assemble delicious meals. Check out my offerings for cooking classes an menus above.
I am ServSafe Certified and a previous member of the American Personal and Private Chef Association.
Testimonials
I have purchased many, many items from Jessie over the last year. My family is so impressed by the quality and the quantity of her food. Our hands down favorite is her chicken pot pie. I think it must weigh about 6 lbs and generously feeds 6 people. My elderly mother was seriously injured in December and was simply not eating. She wouldn't eat anything I cooked or purchased. Finally, I thought of taking her some of Jessie's pot pie and, truly, it was the first time she ate well and enjoyed it in about 6 weeks. Naturally I loaded up her freezer with pot pie. Her banana bread is fabulous, pies, jambalaya, and so on. All of the food is fresh, tasty, and reasonably priced. I'm excited for her as she starts this new venture. She's a caring woman with a passion and talent. - Becky Bowman, Teacher -Knoxville, TN
I have eaten quite a few selections and I must say everything was tasty and prepared EXACTLY the way I like it! I have known this family for several years and they are sweet, eager to please, and completely honest and trustworthy. -
- Marilyn Corwin, Teacher - Knoxville, TN
Jessie's cooking is the best! I am not a great cook and have often wished I had asked for more advice when I was living in the area. Jessie has provided meals for individuals and groups that are AMAZING! I try to pick up little tips anytime I visit. My favorite meal would be the curry, veggies, and chicken. Jes always makes healthy and tasty meals.
- Ashley Singer, Chattanooga, TN
Recently, I gave my wife a break from cooking by purchasing one of Jessie’s Cajun Chicken Pot Pies. With young children, we can never be sure when our cooking or a meal at a restaurant will be turned down. It was not too spicy for our critical children, yet flavorful enough for our tastes. I highly recommend it! - Daniel, Physician - Jellico, TN
Jessie's Thai Red Curry is better than any we have tasted in restaurants. The whole family loved it. She made it for us with chicken and also a vegetarian option. - Meryl van der Merwe, FundaFunda founder, Teacher -Knoxville,TN
“I cannot say enough great things about Jessie and the food items that I have enjoyed from her. The Cajun chicken pot pie is a family favorite. The derby pie is phenomenal. We love her fresh breads for sandwiches! I’m convinced that anything she prepares is perfection! Above her abilities in the kitchen, Jessie is a joy to be around. Her joy and positive attitude is contagious, and her love for Christ shows in all that she does. She is a blessing to me and I have no doubt that she will be a blessing to anyone she cooks for! “
Megan Hill,
Director, Labor & Delivery and Women’s Health Services
Jellico Community Hospital