Chef | Private Dinners | Pop Ups | Pitmaster | Tailgating | Catering

In order to eat and drink for a living, sometimes I get to cook for other people! I love serving as a chef for pop-up dinners, private events, cooking demonstrations, and “celebrity chef” appearances at conferences, conventions, and festivals. I do a lot of media and event cooking, and often people will hire me to cook for their special occasions, tailgate parties, and supper clubs.

I have catered parties all over the country. In 2019 I cooked for over 500 people at Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA for their party to close out a capital fundraising campaign. In 2022, I took a team to Richmond, VA to cook a Louisiana themed dinner to honor the swearing in of the new Arch Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.

In July 2016 I had the honor to cook a dinner at the historic James Beard House in NYC as well as the James Beard Foundation’s Chefs and Champaign event in the Hamptons. Oh, and a private backyard party with Heidi Klum!

Jay and his team with Heidi Klum and a whole leg of lamb in The Hamptons

I got invited back to the James Beard House in 2018 to be part of a group dinner with some of my Food Network Star cast-mates. '

I also love doing pop-ups as I travel. I could bring my trusty cast-iron kettle to a brewery near you! In 2017 I did a Red Beans and Rice Tour around Texas and in 2023 I trekked around the eastern United States on a Jambalaya Tour. Please reach out of you’re interested in bringing me to your neck of the woods.

I also cook for tailgate parties, backyard barbecues, live fire cooking, festivals, and more. Most recently, I helped Tostitos with the Tost by Tostitos Tailgate Tour on LSU’s Campus and a Secret Supper Club at Maison Madeleine.

To check out a lot of the culinary equipment, accessories, knives, outdoor toys, and more that I cook with on a regular basis, check out my blog and my Amazon Storefront!

 

Baby Jay getting into the corn starch and cake batter

Jay got his start cooking by throwing LSU tailgate parties

Jay showing off a Louisiana Seafood collaboration in Richmond

Jay puts on a cooking demo at the Horseshoe Bay Resort