Meet Jamal Cowser | The Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamal Cowser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamal, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always felt like I had my own ideas and creativity when it came to food. So I created Jaysfoodspot. Working in restaurants was always cool and I had a tendency to put my best foot forward, however after learning the menu and the repetitive nature of restaurants, after a while I felt stagnant, almost robot-like. I also saw the food that my community eats and thought, we can have that but let’s make it a little healthier and let’s put a little flare to it! I never like to feel like when I’m working it feels like work, I feel like cooking should be fun and that’s what I intend to do when it comes to working for myself. I started this so I can make a name for myself as well and give my food its own identity. I want your dining experience with me to be something you remember for a lifetime.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m ChefMasterJay, and I’m excited for the people to get to know me. I’m a chef that’s worked from fast-food to fine dining and I pride myself on that. I consider my style of cooking, like a hip-hop freestyle which is why I call myself the Hip-Hop Chef.. I have recipes but I really can show my skill when I’m able to “freestyle” my dishes. I think the world just needs to get to know me and know my food will make you dance at the table! Getting to this point was not easy because it took me a while to build confidence in my own skill. I had to allow myself to do me and that’s probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned. No one can do me better than me. I want the world to know I got a name and I’m going to carve my name in this hospitality industry.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For me, I’ve live from Durham to Charlotte, and ima always shoutout Dame’s chicken and Waffles because that’s where I got my start before it was that. When it’s “Blue mountain Cafe, little spot that only open for lunch. My first kitchen job was there mopping floors doing dishes and minimal prep work. It’s always going to have a soft spot on my heart, so ima always recommend them. If ever in Charlotte check out the Epicenter, find parking and have a good time there’s thing for children and adults there

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
For me, there isn’t just one person, it would have to be a collective of family, friends, and myself. Consisting of a lot of strong women, who made sure I didn’t become or will not become the story of being a number in a system that set us up for failure. Each of them holds me accountable for the amount of effort I put out towards myself and towards my business, and if it is not enough they make sure I continue to stay motivated. When I made my transition from DC to NC, I had a cousin I was staying with that gave me and made me read The autobiography of Malcolm X. That book itself gave me the “I will not quit, I will not give up” mentality that I have. So to the fam, when you read this just know I listen to everything and I am highly grateful and appreciative of all of you guy’s efforts and support!

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