We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful De’Andre Jacob. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with De’Andre below.

De’Andre , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

As a chef I think I started at the perfect time. I started at 19 fresh out of high school. I currently have 12 years experience in the culinary and Food Service Industry.

As a music artist I wish I would have started earlier .but I just wasn’t quite confident in my skill set yet.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is De”Andre Jacob. I’m from Jamaica Queens New York / Bronx NY . I’m a New York City Chef. also a music artist by the name of Johnny Tough.

I’ve been in the Food Industry /Culinary Industry for 12 years consistently never took a vacation Cooking has been my life. I went to culinary school in NYC. where I interned with Viacom (which is now Paramount). I started out in hospitality .where I’ve cook for the Sheraton and Hilton garden inn Hotel’s.

Where experience my first hardship in the food industry .a couple months before I’m aging out of foster care. I wanted to quit cooking at 20 years old. But this was my only outlet coming from the inner city in New York City. From that failure (which I will see many more) I’ve learned the importance of knowing your craft.
Staying disciplined no matter the opptical. keep a positive mindset, and a relentlessness about yourself. Most important having passion. Being a Chef to me is catering to other people and making them happy.

In 2015, I’ve experience the murder of my brother. I needed another avenue to express the hurt and pain that I was experiencing .So that’s how being a music artist came along . Which was my brother’s dream also .

Currently as an indie artist under the name “Johnny Tough” I have 17 albums ,250 songs . which I’m highly proud of and I have fans all over the world. Currently I have cooked for accounts such as

Stagwell , American Express, Bank of America, Citi Bank, red bulls arena , Olivia Cheng , Amazon ,Google ,Palantir , Cultivated ,MetLife ,Debevoise and Plimpton, kirkland and Ellis, Mckinsey, Canon , John Jay Columbia University, L’Oreal

What sets me apart from everybody else .I always love to help people. I always love to see people smile. I’m always genuine. I just love human beings . I believe that people need love especially during these hard times . To me cooking is a form of expression as so music. so I love expressing myself through music and food to bring people some sense of comfort.

My name is De’Andre Jacob. Probably curious how I got the name Johnny Tough as an artist ? basically a black exploitation movie of a misunderstood kid. Who had to face many hardships. I advise you to watch the movie it’s pretty good.

I’m currently working on a new album called “The Love Journey” and also be doing that competition as a Chef hosted by Chef Clara Hall .

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My biggest advice is be yourself believing what you’re doing stay creative stay inspired. It’s going to be people who look at you crazy .do not believe .not understand .but as long as you be true to yourself things that you want will come.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Generational wealth Making sure the next generation of my family stay inspired and creative.

Creating a new narrative. Given the next generation behind me . A lane to create for themselves

Contact Info:

• Website: https://untd.io/a/johnnytough
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/johnnytough_
• Facebook: Johnny Tough
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chefjohnnytough

Image Credits
DeAndre Jacob