Meet DeAndre Jacob

Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAndre Jacob. 

Hi DeAndre, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I grew in Queens /Bronx New York started out as a trouble youth, spend three years in a group home. Inside the group home, in 2010 at age 18 my father passed away, I felt I needed a Trade or a career to be a role model for my younger brother. Inside the group home, I developed a passion for food, after my stay there. I went to Culinary School “Star Career Academy” in Manhattan NYC. There I was trained many different Cuisines, but mainly Italian-based. Also, at the time of this, I was aging out of foster care. I was 20 when I graduated culinary school. I did my internship at “MTV Viacom Restaurants Associations” in 2012. 

My first Chef Position was at the Sheraton Hotel, where my first glimpse of the culinary industry. 

Currently today, I’ve have step in 400 kitchens, in New York City, done personal, private, and catering. 

Catered for places such as Google, Jp Morgan, Red Bulls Arena, Yankee Stadium, Olivier Cheng, and more. In 2015 I lost my brother, His death inspired me to be A Rapper to add on to my creativity.it also was his dream that I choose to carry on. Currently, I have 14 albums under the name “Johnny Tough” 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
From 16 to 19 I was in a group home, at 18 passing of my father who I never knew. being place back into foster care at 19, after being adopted at 12. 

The murder of my brother. 

Trying to break my family’s curses 

Trying to make something of myself, in a cutthroat city like New York City. 

Trying to be accepted in the culinary industry/food industry at a time where young black males from the inner city weren’t being accepted. 

At the ages 19 -26, struggles of being told I wasn’t going to be a good chef 

At times not being able to provide for my daughter. 

Never really been a smooth road for me, but I’ve never Quit. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Since I was 19, I’ve been in the culinary industry, worked in about 400 kitchens I have experience in many different Cuisines such as Soul food, vegan, Chinese, Italian, Caribbean, American, Japanese, Korean, Kosher, I’ve done ever positive inside of a kitchen, from dishwasher, Shucker, prep cook, line Cook, chef, private Chef, catering Chef, Personal Chef. 

Also, a Rapper/Artist, 14 albums, recently got a call from Def Jam Record’s 

Something I’m most proud of is being a father. A visionary, role model to people in my community. 

What sets me apart from people is having the strength to believe 

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Your children are important Be a visionary 

Health is important 

Lead with love 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: johnnytough_
• Facebook: Johnny Tough
• Twitter: JohnnyTough131
• Youtube: Johnny Tough / Johnny Tough The Chef