We were lucky to catch up with Jordan McDuffie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jordan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At Duffie Delectables LLC, our mission is more than just serving great food, it’s about serving people. Since I was a child, I’ve always found joy in helping others. Whether it was packing lunches with my mom for me and my twin or doing dishes for my grandma until she finally trusted me to crack an egg. I always wanted to be useful, to care for people through small, meaningful acts.

Cooking didn’t start as a passion; helping did. But when my grandmother let me prepare lunch for her daycare kids during the summer; simple meals like ravioli or sandwiches I began to understand the power of food. I took pride in every plate, making sure it looked beautiful because I believed that even children deserved a thoughtful, intentional dining experience. I was 15 then, and by high school, I knew I wanted to attend Johnson & Wales University — and I did, on a basketball scholarship.

My journey from athlete to culinary artist wasn’t linear, but every job I’ve held — from dishwasher to cashier to Executive Sous Chef — played a vital role in shaping my mission. I learned flavor profiling while baking, the science of shelf life and event prep while in catering, and the raw truth about leadership and integrity while opening and managing kitchens.

But the most important shift came in 2024, when I began reconnecting with Yahweh and deepening my spirituality. I received a vision: that I was meant to help people — athletes, kids, and families — through the language I speak best: food. That’s when I realized Duffie Delectables LLC wasn’t just a dream or side hustle. It was my purpose.

Today, I bring that same intention into every meal I serve. I don’t just feed the body — I try to nourish the soul, restore peace, and build lasting relationships with everyone I serve. Because in the end, helping others is why I started — and it’s why I’ll never stop.

Jordan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Jordan McDuffie (Chef Jo), and I’m the Founder and Executive Chef of Duffie Delectables LLC, based in Charlotte, NC. I’m a personal and private chef, caterer, and culinary creative whose work is deeply rooted in love, culture, and tradition — all inspired by my upbringing and spiritual walk with Yahweh.

My journey into the culinary world started when I was a kid. I didn’t fall in love with cooking first—I fell in love with helping people. Whether I was packing lunches with my mom for me and my twin or washing dishes for my grandma until she finally let me crack an egg, I always found purpose in being of service. At 15, I started cooking lunch every summer for my grandma’s daycare, taking pride in every plate I made—even if it was just ravioli or sandwiches. I wanted the kids to be excited just by how it looked because everyone eats with their eyes first.

That spark led me to Johnson & Wales University, my dream school, where I earned an Associate’s in Baking & Pastry and a Bachelor’s in Food Service Management while playing basketball on scholarship. Sports taught me dedication and discipline, and my jobs through college and beyond taught me every side of the food industry—from Ledo’s Pizza to Puttery to SPICE, where I became Executive Sous Chef in under a year.

I created Duffie Delectables LLC to combine everything I’ve learned—culinary technique, customer service, creativity, and, most importantly, care. My goal is to make people feel something through food. I serve professional athletes, families, and individuals who want personalized, intentional meals that feel like home.

What I Offer:

Private & Personal Chef Services – in-home, travel-based, or routine weekly service

Custom Meal Prep & Delivery – tailored to client goals, allergies, and preferences

Catering for Events – from intimate dinners to large-scale gatherings

Signature Comfort Dishes – made with bold flavor and timeless love

What Sets Me Apart:

My food is created with pure intention and passion, inspired by the meals that brought people together in my own family. My brand is all about the feeling of sitting down to a Sunday night dinner at your grandma’s house, and that’s why I stand by the slogan:

“Momma’s cooking, Grandma’s soul.”

I’m best known for my turkey wing dinners and jerk chicken egg rolls, and I’ve been blessed to serve notable clients like Xavier Legette, Dennis Smith Jr., and Torrey Craig. One of the most meaningful compliments I’ve ever received is:

“Your food tastes like my grandmother’s.”

That level of familiarity and comfort is exactly what I strive for with every dish. Whether I’m preparing meals for a pro athlete or cooking for a local family, my goal is to nourish people in a way that feels personal, comforting, and full of love.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Honestly, I never really cared about social media. I used to tell people, “I don’t need Instagram — I can talk my way into clientele.” Looking back, I was just being stubborn. I thought word-of-mouth would be enough. And while that worked to a point, the real growth didn’t start until my best friend, Ayshia Scott, stepped in. She owns her own media business called 2Smooth Visual Media. She believed in my brand more than I did at the time.

Ayshia told me she was going to help me get serious about content — and she meant it. She bought me an iPad for editing, and we got a lightbox with different color backgrounds to help me start recording while I cooked. She was going to teach me how to edit and show me how to run my page in a way that reflected my food and my personality.

The turning point was when Ayshia recorded me cooking a family meal for Xavier Legette. I posted it on Instagram and it hit 35,000 views, even though I had less than 500 followers. That moment opened my eyes. From then on, Ace kept recording while I cooked for clients, or even just for dinner, and my videos started getting more attention.

Then it happened — my first video went viral. It was a Salisbury steak dinner, and it hit 1.8 million views. Since then, I’ve gone from 500 followers in November 2024 to over 7,500 followers — just from posting food content that’s true to who I am and what I love.

My advice to anyone would be to just start, don’t wait to be perfect — just post. Be consistent, be authentic, and don’t underestimate the power of your story. People want to see the real you. You never know who’s watching, or who’s hungry.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: I want people to scroll through my page and get hungry. I want them to feel like they’re watching Sunday night football at grandma’s house. That’s the energy I bring to every plate — and every post.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That I had to prove my worth through struggle.

For a long time, I believed that the harder the road, the more valid the success. I thought I had to go through unnecessary chaos — long hours, toxic environments, burnout — just to say I “earned” my place. That mindset came from working in restaurants where I felt like I constantly had to over-perform just to be seen or respected. I used to think that if I wasn’t exhausted, I wasn’t doing enough.

But I had to unlearn that.
After being in high-pressure kitchens, working multiple jobs, and pushing myself to the edge — I realized peace is also productive. I don’t have to suffer to succeed. I had to learn that rest isn’t weakness and protecting my peace is part of the plan.

Now that I run Duffie Delectables, I’ve built a business rooted in purpose, love, and balance. I get to do what I love without breaking myself down in the process. I create from a place of joy and intention — and my clients can feel that in the food. That was the real lesson: success can feel good. It’s not supposed to drain you. It’s supposed to fill you up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Duffiesdelectables
• Facebook: Jordan McDuffie
• Linkedin: Jordan McDuffie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DuffiesDelectables

Image Credits

@2Smoothvm
@shotby2smooth