Hey there, Gorgeous people!

So, you’ve probably been stalking my Insta (don’t worry, I’m not judging. I totally do that too!) and you’re like “Jojo, what’s the deal with @ChefJojo30A? What does 30A even MEAN?!” Well, buckle up buttercup, because 30A is this absolutely GORGEOUS scenic route along Florida’s Gulf Coast and it’s literally where all the magic happens! We’re talking pristine beaches, amazing sunsets, and the kind of place that makes you want to post a million stories! But If you want to know a little about me, here is the BTA: (Behind the Apron:

Where it Began:

I grew up in the kitchen, with some of my first memories being surrounded in the kitchen with love and family who really knew there way around. I was taught from day one how to properly peel and de-vein a shrimp (looking back, my father was a savage for having me do that at 4 yrs old with a butter knife, but I have no complaints today. I’m also positive that those shrimps were butchered but my family never said a thing LOL) My family has a military background on both sides, with my mother’s father (grandpa) being in the airforce, and my dad’s father (PapPap) being a Colonel in the arm. Both of my grandmothers were stationed all over the world, with Indonesia being a 10 year stay for my Omi (my mom’s mom, who was born in German, thus being called Omi. My mother was also born in Germany, and speaks fluent German, which is where my love for European cooking comes from!) My father’s mother (Grandma) also traveled the world, but was into the military ladies’ club cookbooks, frequently trying each of her friend’s recipes, from meatloaves to pea soups. My Omi is an eclectic chef, making the best sauerbraten you have ever had, taught me how to make delicious roulade, and at the same time adds Maggi to her Ramen, and knows how to cook delicious fried rice. One of my favorite childhood memories is making fresh grape jelly with the grapes from the terrace in Texas. And then you have my father. My father was an incredible chef, and a big reason I am the chef I am today. My father was a self taught chef, working in restaurants in Texas. Apparently, he was really good, but he decided to become a lawyer instead! I know, quite the change! His favorite dish was rack of lamb by far, with leg of lamb a second runner up. This is where my love of mint jelly began, and I have 30 years later continued to love it. Little known fact, if wanting to make your own, its apple jelly with mint! Anyway, my dad loved lamb and know I’m a great cook.

I had to grow up pretty quickly; after moving from Michigan, my family moved along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with Hurrican Katrina permanently moving me to Panama City Beach Florida. I had my beautiful daughter, Olivia, who is now 16 going on 17 in 11th grade! (Don’t even get me started, I know I am a young mother lol, and I too, cannot believe how old she is!) I have an angel baby named Jaydon, he would be 13 years old right now, and I know he is smiling down on me, watching me work hard every day. And that just leaves my youngest, Elias, who is 8 years old. Elias lives in Orlando, where I left my old life behind. It’s a long story, but after Covid I moved here to Panama City Beach again, to be closer to family when my ex and I decided we weren’t going to stay together. My daughter Olivia was doing so great here I couldn’t move her again, so I made the decision to make the best of it and stay here, travel to Orlando constantly, and make the best of the time we do have on the holidays and for the summer. Coincidently, those are the exact times I am busiest, making life seem extra crazy at times during the Holidays! We all make it work, and so far, somehow, I have stayed afloat running a business, being a traveling single mom, and maintaining a household. I’m tired just talking about it! But God has blessed me beyond measure, and never in a million years would I have thought when I began this journey that life would be the way it is today.

Right now, I’m on this mission to share my cooking with even MORE incredible people (because honestly, good food should be shared, am I right?), and boosting my social media game is totally part of that plane. I mean, if you’re not on social media, do you even exist? Just kidding! But seriously, get ready because I’m about to drop some seriously amazing mini vlogs from my adventures around 30A and abroad! You guys are going to get the full behind-the-scenes experience of my culinary journey, and trust me, it’s going to be EVERYTHING! (Of course I will have another website for just this travel, because why wouldn’t I?! As soon as I have it available for you I will update it here!)

Oh, and here’s where it gets even better, I’m also going to be sharing some of my favorite personal recipes! Like, the ones I usually keep locked away in my recipe vault. I’m talking about the good ole stuff, people

Already obsessed and want to book me? (I book out in advance up to 2 years! I don’t know where I will be after that, but my team will always be here for you!) Just check out the links in my Instagram bio and let’s make some food magic happen together!

I seriously cannot WAIT to serve you, my amazing future guests! This is going to be so fun!

Chef Jojo

(btw my friends call me Joanna, but I go by Chef Jojo when I am in the kitchen. It started because it’s just faster to say!)