Coming from a family of thespians, actor Jake Smollett didn’t fall far from the tree, starting his career as a baby diaper model at six months old, eventually segueing into the culinary arts. Now a self-proclaimed “home chef,” Smollett says that it was his upbringing in a family of eight, his parents and five siblings that led him to explore the art of preparing savory, yet healthy family meals.
Smollett, who’s starred alongside his sister Jurnee in the late 90’s film “Eve’s Bayou,” and with all of his siblings in the 1994 family series “On Our Own,” recently parlayed into a brotherly themed entertainment venture of his own. Entitled Smollett Eats, the Food Network cooking series consists of a jovial take to teaching his family and viewers how to cook. The show also features Jake’s brother, Empire’s very own Jussie Smollett, as they explore cooking life in and out of the kitchen.
As for Smollett’s cooking style and technique, the home chef says he’s had no formal training, but gains the majority of his food inspiration from family and travel. With Smollett’s mother a native of New Orleans, Smollett says he loves to infuse “Louisiana cuisine” with his “Cali-fresh style.” Smollett also attributes informal classes taken during his travels to Italy, Jamaica and the like to his authentic cooking style.
Smollett recently hit a culinary high, landing 6 episodes to cook with celebrity chef, author and businesswoman Rachel Ray. “That has been another dream of mine, to cook with Rachel Ray. Her being a home chef, me being a home chef, I definitely look up to her, and I’ve always watched her shows on Food Network, so that happening was beyond the moon for me,” Smollett stated.
When asked what defines a home chef, Jake says it’s just “elevated home cooked meals.” “We all try to chef up in the kitchen, and I think we all think of ourselves as a chef inside, if you cook at home. If you feel like a chef, then you’re a home chef, and that’s really what it is,” he said.
In addition to Smollett’s appearances on television in the cooking world, he’s also acquired quite the collection of recipes, all of which are included on his blog on jakesmollett.com. From his signature “Spicy Chicken Pasta”, to “Rustic Baked Chicken Stew”, “Pancetta Pomegranate Brussels Sprouts”, and “Mini Vegan Sweet Potato Pies”, Smollett’s recipes run the gamut of savory meal options to entertain family and friends.
Smollett says one of the most rewarding aspects of being a home chef is the feedback he gets when people test his recipes. “It’s really nice to get that response, because food is love and people share food with each other,” he said. “You gotta’ eat, and you need to enjoy it,” he declared.
To see more of our exclusive interview with Jake, visit www.lasentinel.net.
