Meet Your Chef

It all began in the quaint rural community of Munford, TN. Even before reaching my teenage years, I found myself captivated by the sight of my Big Daddy (Frank Jones), uncles (Franklin and James “Bear” Jones), and great-uncle, Lewis Ealy, as they expertly prepared hogs for slaughter. Meanwhile, my numerous cousins, close in age, observed alongside the mothers and aunts as they readied black kettles for the processing of hog head souse, chitterlings, sausage, bacon, ham, and BBQ.

Though I didn't fully grasp it at the time, I was deeply intrigued by the entire process, retaining vivid memories of the details.

As time flowed on, I became a keen observer of my Mom's (Bessie) every move in the kitchen. It was there that I honed my skills around pots and pans, experimented with various spices, and mastered the art of prepping chicken and dressing, t-cakes, and pound cakes.

Life's inevitable course led me through the corridors of college, job relocations, marriage, and more. Throughout these life chapters, however, my role as the family cook remained steadfast, gradually evolving into a true passion.

It was during my tenure at FedEx that I stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity: a Chili cook-off contest within the Human Resources department. Amidst 18 entries, I stood as the sole male participant. Embracing the challenge wholeheartedly, I emerged victorious, clinching 1st place for taste and presentation alike. It was then that I realized cooking was more than just a hobby – it was my calling.

Encouraged by my beautiful wife Dwana, family, and friends, and driven by an undying love for the culinary arts, I embarked on the exhilarating journey of launching a food truck. Every opportunity to explore food events featuring trucks or trailers was met with genuine excitement.

Then came the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst school closures and the shift to virtual learning, a call from my sister changed the course of my culinary venture. "Would you be interested in catering for my faculty?" she asked. Without hesitation, I accepted, marking the genesis of a new chapter.

With the collaborative efforts of my wife and sister-in-law Whitney Cunningham, "Divinegrille" was born out of countless brainstorming sessions. It has truly been a divine blessing, and I owe it all to my Awesome God! Now let's eat...