James K Jones is a Professional Chef based in Birmingham, Alabama. His passion for creating exquisite culinary delights was ignited at a young age while cooking alongside his Grandmother, Sara Mae Jones.

 

"My parents lived in the basement apartment of my Grandparent’s home during my formative years. My father, serving in the military, was frequently stationed overseas, while my mother worked full-time. Consequently, my grandmother became my babysitter and primary caregiver. She was old school, preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner nearly every day. As a result, she spent the majority of her time in the kitchen. She often remarked that she kept me close because I had a tendency to get into things, and she wanted to ensure my safety. One of my earliest memories is sitting on the counter, rolling out biscuits. By the age of seven, she had taught me to cook a wide variety of dishes. I was always amazed by her ability to transform any ingredient into something delicious that brought joy to everyone. On Sundays, our family, which often numbered over 25 people, had a standing invitation for Sunday dinner. My grandmother would lay out an incredible spread, welcoming unexpected guests with her signature Southern hospitality. And I could go on for hours about her holiday feasts—she was nothing short of extraordinary. My love for cooking and the relationships we fostered around her culinary creations have always been my driving motivation."  -James K Jones

 

At 19, James began his culinary journey as an apprentice under French Chef Patrick Quillec. He mastered the fundamentals of Haute Cuisine and later evolved into Nouvelle Cuisine, introducing his own dishes to the menu. In the early 90s, handmade pastas, sauces, and “California” style pizzas became highly sought after.

 

However, life took a challenging turn when James briefly got involved with drugs and crime, leading him to face the possibility of a life sentence (For more details, tune into his “Straight Outta Prison” Podcast, co-hosted with Haley Jones). Nevertheless, even in the most difficult situations, James always discovered meaning and purpose through cooking. He eventually found himself whipping up magic in the Prison Kitchen, turning bland meals into culinary masterpieces for over 900 inmates and a horde of Correctional Officers—talk about a food revolution behind bars!

 

In 1999, James embarked on a new chapter in Birmingham, Alabama, where he secured his first position at the renowned fine dining Italian restaurant, Rossi’s. One year later, he was offered a role at Leonardo’s Italian Dining, where he would spend nearly a decade. During this time, James soaked up all the delicious secrets of Italian cuisine and the magic of customer satisfaction under the guidance of his employer and mentor, Tony Falletta. In 2002, James and Tony's daughter, Dana, initiated a successful catering division at Leonardo’s. This initiative was further enhanced by the introduction of banquets and special events, solidifying Leonardo’s reputation as a premier destination.

 

In 2007, James embarked on his entrepreneurial journey by opening Kairos Kafe in Birmingham’s Southside. His aim was to recreate the Southern cuisine his grandmother made, infusing it with a Mediterranean flair. Kairos quickly became one of Birmingham’s favorite lunch destinations, although catering remained his primary focus. The standout menu items included Granny’s Rolls with Strawberry Butter, Chicken Tenderloins prepared in seven different styles, The Pimento Cheeseburger, and Kairos Chocolate Crackle. His culinary creations garnered enthusiastic praise from The Birmingham News and numerous other local media outlets. He was invited to appear on Good Day Alabama at WBRC Fox 6, where he began a monthly cooking segment that has delighted local viewers for over 17 years. In 2009, he earned the Bronze Medal for “Best Chicken Fingers in Birmingham” from the Birmingham News. Additionally, in 2014, his Peanut Butter Cobbler recipe was showcased on the Food Network show “Carnival Eats.” That same year, James published his first cookbook, “From the Delicious Goodness Files: Cobblers,” which is available on Amazon.

 

In 2012, seeking to extend his restaurant hours, James opened Kairos Kafe in the North Jefferson town of Gardendale. The launch was an incredible success, with local police directing traffic on the first day. The community praised Kairos Kafe Gardendale with outstanding reviews; however, managing two establishments alongside high overhead costs eventually wore James down. Just six months after the grand opening, he and his team faced the heartbreaking choice to close the Gardendale location. A silver lining from this experience was that James met Haley Hobart, a charming Ambassador from The Gardendale Chamber of Commerce, who became his wife in 2013.

 

Despite feeling down but not defeated, James redirected all his energy toward the Southside Location. In 2013, following their wedding, Haley joined him to assist in his culinary journey. With her experience in business coaching, they decided to close the Southside Kairos Kafe and concentrate entirely on Catering and Events. This crucial shift revitalized the business, helping it recover after the challenges of launching a second location.

 

In May 2014, James and Haley joyfully welcomed their first child, Lula Mae Jones, into the world. Having grown up without an engaged father, James was eager to be an active and hands-on Daddy. However, he soon recognized that managing a full-service food establishment would hinder his ability to fulfill that role. As a result, he decided to leave Kairos Kafe and follow his passion for the non-profit sector. Although this decision caused considerable distress among his supporters, James permanently closed Kairos in January 2015.

 

In August 2014, he took on the role of Director of Food Services and Outreach at The Foundry Ministries in Bessemer, Alabama. The Foundry served over 1,000 meals daily to both residents and staff. Additionally, they processed more than a ton of donated food each week for distribution to low-income families in West Jefferson County. Over the next five years, James channeled his enthusiasm for organizational leadership and cooking to revolutionize his department into a Culinary Training Program for residents, a Mobile Food Pantry Truck delivering fresh fruits and vegetables to over 750 families weekly, and an in-house pantry where low-income families could choose their groceries with dignity.

 

In 2016, James and Haley celebrated the arrival of their twin boys, Judah James and Royal Grant. By 2018, James had graduated from Highlands College with a degree in Leadership Ministry. In late 2019, after completing a 12-month internship with their local church, they decided to embark on their own journey and established The Team Jones Company. Initially, their focus was on business coaching and organizational leadership, but James couldn't resist his passion for food, leading them to create Team Jones Cooking. Instead of selling meals, they offered a culinary service. Just three months after launching, the onset of COVID-19 propelled the cooking arm into success with meal prep services throughout 2020. In 2021, James streamlined the food service and began operating solely as Chef James K Jones.

 

Through a combination of trial and error, luck, or divine intervention, James discovered his true passion as a Private Chef. He has mastered the art of pursuing what he loves without the responsibilities of managing a food service establishment, allowing him to tailor his schedule to his family's needs. Rather than simply selling food, he offers a service that creates unforgettable experiences. From intimate dinners and live events to culinary instruction, meal prep, and coaching, he crafts personalized menus and experiences that delight his clients, leaving them happy, satisfied, and eager for more.

 

James and Haley reside in Gardendale with their three children: Lula, Judah, and Royal. They are the hosts of the “Straight Outta Prison” Podcast, which you can find on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeart Radio, and nearly anywhere you enjoy listening to podcasts. In addition, James has a YouTube channel and regularly leads a Monthly Cooking Segment on WBRC Fox 6.

 

For more updates and content, you can follow Chef James K Jones on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Rumble.