We were lucky to catch up with Jeffrey Morneau recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jeffrey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for my business came from a very real place. I remember standing in the kitchen late at night, exhausted but full of fire. For years, I was known as Chef Jeff, the guy who could transform any event through flavor, hospitality, and experience. But over time, I realized people weren’t just coming to me for the food. They were coming for the feeling, the energy, the storytelling, the way each event looked, felt, and unfolded. That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t just catering meals, I was curating moments.

The transition from chef to creative director didn’t happen overnight. It came from years of saying yes to opportunities that forced me to grow. One day I was plating meals for 300 guests; the next, I was being asked to design the entire event space, build a custom bar, or produce a full brand experience. I realized the industry had a gap. There were talented caterers and great designers, but few who could merge culinary artistry with immersive brand storytelling. That became the lane I decided to own.

JMA, short for Jeffrey Morneau Atelier, was born from that realization. I wanted to create a full-service creative house that could take a vision from concept to completion, blending design, production, and hospitality seamlessly. I knew it would work because people didn’t just attend my events, they experienced them. They remembered the details, the aromas in the air, the texture of the drapery, the way the lighting transformed the mood. That emotional connection is what made it sustainable.

The most exciting part for me has always been the transformation. Watching an empty space evolve into something extraordinary never gets old. Whether it’s a brand activation for Nike, a Juneteenth celebration, or a luxury backyard soirée, I get to merge culture, creativity, and precision in a way that feels intentional and human.

In truth, I didn’t just come up with a business idea. I built a creative movement around what I’ve always done best: turning passion into experience, and experience into legacy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who may not know me, my name is Jeffrey Morneau, but most people know me as Chef Jeff. My journey started in the kitchen, long before I ever thought about design or production. Cooking was my first language. It was how I connected with people, how I expressed creativity, and how I built community. Over the years, what began as a catering business evolved into something much bigger. I realized I wasn’t just feeding people; I was building experiences that told stories.

Today, I’m the founder and creative director of Jeffrey Morneau Atelier (JMA), a New York based creative house specializing in luxury event production, brand activations, and experiential design. We handle everything from high-end décor and fabrication to culinary curation, draping, and branded moments that make people stop and feel something.

What sets JMA apart is our ability to blend culinary artistry with design and storytelling. Most agencies focus on one lane, food, décor, or logistics. We merge them all under one creative vision. Whether it’s transforming a ballroom for a gala, designing a pop-up for a major beauty brand, or producing an intimate home soirée, our approach is always the same: every detail should speak to emotion, intention, and identity.

Our clients come to us because they want something unforgettable. They want their guests to walk in and immediately feel who they are without needing an explanation. That’s what we deliver, experiences that move people.

What I’m most proud of is the evolution. JMA represents years of growth, resilience, and community. We’ve worked with global brands like Nike, Youtube, LVMH, CVS, and Pattern Beauty, but what matters most to me is that we’re still rooted in culture, creativity, and connection. We’re Black-led, community-driven, and committed to excellence in every sense of the word.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s that JMA is more than a company, it’s a movement. It’s proof that you can take your passion, your story, and your heritage, and turn it into something world-class. We don’t just create events; we create legacies.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I first started my business, there was no big investor or fancy funding strategy. It was pure hustle and faith. I started small, taking on projects one at a time and reinvesting every dollar back into the vision.

In those early days, my mom, Leslie, was my silent partner, though she didn’t realize it at first. Whenever I needed to buy supplies, ingredients, or décor materials, I’d use her debit or credit card to get what I needed, then pay her back after each job. It became our little system. She believed in me before the business had a name, a website, or even a clear plan.

That kind of support is something I’ll never take for granted. It taught me how to move responsibly and to make sure that every investment, no matter how small, had a return. It also taught me the value of community, family, and trust in entrepreneurship.

So while some people start with investors or business loans, I started with love, grit, and my mom’s card. And honestly, that foundation made me appreciate every opportunity that came after even more.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When COVID hit, everything changed overnight. My famous pâtés shop had come to a halt, and I suddenly found myself in survival mode. Instead of shutting down completely, I turned it into a frozen shipping operation so people could still enjoy our food from home. That move not only kept the business alive, it expanded our reach far beyond New York.

At the same time, I found myself back in the kitchen baking cakes for intimate gatherings, something I’d promised I was done doing. But that moment reminded me that creativity never really stops; it just shifts. Pivoting taught me that success isn’t about holding on to one version of your dream, it’s about staying flexible enough to reinvent it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jeffreymorneauatelier.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjeffdidit
• Facebook: https://wwwfacebook.com/chefjeffcatering
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-morneau-5493562b7
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chefjeffdidit3294

Image Credits

Shamemories Photography
Shatimah Monae Photography