JJ Johnson

JJ Johnson is an award-winning Chef, Founder, TV Personality, and Author. He is best knownfor his barrier-breaking cuisine connecting the foodways of West Africa and Asia to theAmericas.Chef JJ’s signature style of combining culturally relevant ingredients with his classically trainedcooking and global point of view was inspired by the Caribbean tastes he grew up with and histravels. He’s cooked in Ghana and Israel and has visited a 7-generation rice farm in India. Hisculinary philosophy centers on showcasing the diversity and richness of the African diasporawhile also challenging traditional cuisines.Recognized by Eater as one of the New Guard of Power in NYC Dining, JJ’s brand of creatingcultural connections through food is a hallmark of his hospitality group Ingrained HospitalityConcepts, LLC, a collaboration of industry professionals dedicated to creating great restaurantswhile sharing international cuisine with amazing hospitality.His work has earned him numerous accolades, including a James Beard Foundation Award forthe best American cookbook for Between Harlem and Heaven. He has also been featured onmultiple television shows, including Food Network’s Chopped, Netflix’s Street Food, and Selena+ Chef on HBO Max. Additionally, JJ has his television show called Just Eats with Chef JJ airingfor its fifth season on TV One's network Cleo TV this fall. Chef JJ's highly anticipated cookbookwith Danica Novgorodof, The Simple Artof Rice: Recipes from Around the World for the Heartof Your Table, will be released in September 2023 by Macmillan Publishers.Chef JJ curates an environment for connection through food that transcends people, memories,and generations, as witnessed at Fieldtrip, his quick-casual rice bowl shop, which highlights thefuture of food. Johnson strongly advocates for sustainability, working with local farmers andproducers to source the freshest ingredients for his dishes. As one of America's most excitingfast casual brands, Fieldtrip has taken NYC by storm with 4 locations and is continuingexpansion non-stop. JJ believes some of the most dynamic cultures are linked to rice, and withAmerica being a diverse nation, we all grew up within a "rice culture." Henceforth the slogan,“Rice is Culture" at Fieldtrip.A cultural tastemaker, family man, Chef JJ Johnson developed a passion for culinary at thetender age of seven. While growing up between New York City and the Poconos, PA, he quicklybecame inspired by the flavors and cultures of his diverse upbringing. After graduating from theCulinary Institute of America (CIA), JJ honed his skills in some of the world's top kitchensthroughout New York City.Today, he is a community champion. His passion for food justice and equity drives him to raiseawareness within the food industry, using his platform to create change. JJ continues to pushboundaries in the culinary world, with plans to develop more restaurants that celebrate andshare the vibrant flavors and cultures of Africa and the Caribbean.Through JJ’s expertise, he continues to unite communities and show the world that rice isn’t justa staple; it is the backbone of culture.