We were lucky to catch up with Chef James Rucker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chef James , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Chef James Rucker Sr deep appreciation for American cuisine was developed at a young age growing up in Houston, Texas where he was exposed to a variety of foods that would fuel his life long passion for cooking. He began his culinary career at the age of 7 but by 10 yrs old he started working on a food truck the well known Rucker BBQ Trailer That’s Family Owned and Operated. Founded by ROBERT & ROBERTA RUCKER but now Chef James Rucker Sr. Is the CEO/Executive Chef for the Family Business

In 2017 Chef James Rucker received his own day in the city of Houston Texas proclamation day

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

ACF NATIONAL MEMBER Chef James Rucker Sr deep appreciation for American cuisine was developed at a young age growing up in Houston, Texas where he was exposed to a variety of foods that would fuel his life long passion for cooking. He began his culinary career at the age of 7 but by 10 yrs old he started working on a food truck the well known Rucker BBQ Trailer That’s Family Owned and Operated. Founded by ROBERT & ROBERTA RUCKER but now Chef James Rucker Sr. Is the CEO/Executive Chef for the Family Business

At age 30 Chef James trained under acclaimed Chef Bradley Ogden at the prestigious Funky Chicken & Bradley fine dining , working and studying the nuances of both French and Classic American cuisine. Farm to table Concepts

Chef James Rucker started working under a Chef name Roland Stamps (MCS) where he took Chef James Rucker Sr. under his teaching an molded him into a catering Sous Chef.

After returning from Los Angeles, and settling down in Houston Tx, Chef James Rucker Sr. earned an opportunity to work with another renowned Chef Seth, at Springbok, South Africa Chef who has trained some of the best and brightest in California, New York, in Florida plus Washington-DC & Los Angeles and Las Vegas

In 2004 Chef James Rucker started J&M BARBEQUE where his creativity and innate understanding of fresh seafood fresh meats fresh food where helping to guide JMBC & CO into the future. That started his catering career with the most biggest celebrities in USA. Celebrity Clients like Paul Wall/Johnny Dang (aka) Tv Johnny /Floyd Mayweather/ 2 Chains / Ray Lewis/ Slim Thug / Migos/ Lil Keke/ Rick Ross/ Slick Rick

In 2017 Chef James Rucker received his own day in the city of Houston Texas proclamation day September 9th Gave to him from our Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

In 2018 Chef James Rucker went to New York to open his first Food Truck in The Hamptons the truck will be serving Fresh meats vegan meals plus more.

2018 Chef James Rucker also got his first Actor Job In a Movie Called Screwed up Christmas staring himself Chef James #gohomechefjames will be the trend after this movie comes out December 16th 2018

2021 GOOGLE VERIFIED CHEF JAMES RUCKER SR.

2022 Chef James Rucker received his Certified Financing and accounting Certificate Awarded from Harvard Business School

2023 Chef James Rucker Sr. was awarded on becoming the 20th Richest Chef in USA Net-worth

Have you ever had to pivot?

Really been an up-and-down situation because starting off, you know people don’t believe in you, but only you believe in yourself. And as time goes by your name started building up, and everyone wanted your food so year after year, my name became bigger. My company name became bigger, I traveled to East Hampton, New York and Harlem New York to open food trucks traveled to five other states. Being consistent and persistent in my goal and tasks to be successful is paying off finally.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Well, starting off from culinary school I opened a barbecue trailer and called it JMBC better known as J&M Barbeque & Catering. But I am a chef at heart, and professional barbecuing was a way of life, the celebrities that I cooked for; they love my ribs, my homemade sauces, and sausage that is what I was known for when I started cooking BBQ that was my biggest seller so now I’m into private catering private Chef work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cooking-by-chef-james.square.site/
• Instagram: Iamchefjames_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamchefrucker?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefjamesrucker?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: @chefjamesrucker
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Iamchefjames

Image Credits
Myself – Chef James Rucker Sr. JMBCGIVING – My Nonprofit Organization Chef Chee Chee SGIA TEAM BLACK FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION