Are you bored of your traditional holiday menu this time of year? Get ready for your best-ever culinary experience, yet!
Spruce up your mundane end-of-year go-to’s with delectable otherworldly dishes infused with Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar, thoughtfully prepared by one of Miami’s finest, Chef Amaris Jones.
Chef Jones is known for many feats, but she turned the heat up at Art Basel Miami 2023 with her unique take on everyday dishes. Comforting but never comparable, her modern fast-casual fried chicken outlet Chick’N Jones is certainly in a class of its own, giving innovation with a splash of sass. According to Chef Jones, her work is reclaiming the food that the ancestors taught America to cook: Tuh!
Chef Jones was the featured chef for EBONY FWD, our unique artist immersion experience held at The Temple House in South Beach on December 9 and 10, 2023, for which she graciously curated a few Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar recipes, fusing cuisine and culture and giving pizzazz to our palates.
Here, Chef Jones enlightens us about her journey and influence.
EBONY: A unique reimagining of contemporary soul food has marked your culinary journey. How do your early experiences in your father’s church and family gatherings continue to inspire and shape the innovative dishes you create today?
Chef Amaris Jones: The sense of community, love, and togetherness in my father’s church I felt during those times continues to inspire me to create innovative dishes that embody those same emotions. I draw from the flavors, traditions, and soulful nature of those gatherings to reimagine soul food in a modern way.
How has Miami’s cultural and culinary landscape influenced your approach to soul food, and what makes your dishes stand out in such a diverse culinary environment?
Miami’s cultural and culinary landscape has greatly influenced my approach to cooking. The city’s diverse population and vibrant food scene have exposed me to a wide range of flavors and ingredients. What sets my dishes apart in such a diverse environment is my ability to honor the roots of soul food while adding flavors that resonate with the multicultural palate of Miami. Think of a black-eyed pea and sweet plantain empanada with collard chimichurri sauce.
How do you balance entrepreneurship with your dedication to championing diversity and innovation in the culinary realm?
Entrepreneurship provides a platform to amplify and promote diversity and innovation. By establishing my own culinary business, I can create a space where I can showcase diverse talent, support underrepresented communities, and introduce innovative culinary concepts. It’s about finding synergies between entrepreneurship and my core values to drive positive change in the industry.
How do you infuse the essence of Philadelphia into your dishes in a contrasting environment like Miami to create the best-ever fusion of North American multicultural cuisine?
Capturing the essence of my hometown of Philly and applying it to my dishes in a contrasting environment like Miami requires a deep understanding of the cultural nuances and flavors that define my current restaurant Chick’N Jones and my previous endeavor, South Street. I draw inspiration from the memories, traditions and local ingredients of my hometown.
What advice do you have for aspiring chefs looking to make a mark beyond the kitchen?
My advice would be to embrace curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning. Seek new experiences, explore different cuisines and experiment with ingredients and techniques. Develop your unique culinary voice and perspective. Don’t be afraid to collaborate and connect with others in the industry. Building relationships and networking can open doors to opportunities beyond the kitchen and allow you to make a lasting impact.
Your role as an equity advisor for the woman-owned cereal brand “Off Limits” reflects your commitment to supporting women in gastronomy. Can you share more about your involvement and the significance of featuring pioneering female mascots on its cover?
[It’s] a reflection of my commitment to supporting women in that space. The founder of the brand, Emily Miller, is a powerhouse with core values that are in alignment with my values. I love that the brand advocated for gender equity and equal opportunities. Featuring pioneering female mascots on the brand’s cover is significant because it showcases the achievements and representation of women in the industry, breaking stereotypes and inspiring future generations of female entrepreneurs.
Participating in EBONY FWD, a wonderful celebration of art and culture during Art Basel Miami 2023, how did you envision the intersection between culinary and visual arts?
I love Art Basel, and EBONY is such an iconic brand, so it’s an exciting and enriching experience. Both culinary and visual arts share the ability to evoke emotions, tell stories and ignite creativity. At the event, I envisioned culinary creations that are delicious and tell a story. This convergence allows for a multi-sensory experience where food becomes an art form.
What was your thought process for the dishes you prepared for the event?
To create traditional flavors with elevated ingredients, I took some of the traditional offerings I have at my restaurant and infused them with Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar. We served our chicken and waffles with my famous hot honey syrup. I did a reduction and added Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar for a little more caramel flavor. It really brought the taste level up another notch.
*Ingredients and instructions below:
Image: De’Angelo McNair
Microgreens for garnish instructions
For the Waffles:
For the Chicken:
For the Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar Hot Honey:
For the Maple Cream:
For the Okra Fritters:
For the Vegan Remoulade:
Image: De’Angelo McNair
For the Tartlets:
For the Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar Meringue:
Discover the fascinating journey of DJ Vlad, from being involved in a rapper's altercation to…
Angela White, also known as Blac Chyna, takes her daughter, Dream Kardashian, to get her…
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire already up on Patreon⬇️⬇️ ✓UNCUT/EARLY/EXLUSIVE REACTIONS: ...
Weasly Snipes Speaks Against Hollywood's BIGGEST Lie About Black Actors. Blade became Marvel's first success,…
Fremont Street walk on 4/27/24 around 3pm in 4k. Entertainers & clear skies - It…
This website uses cookies.