WORD OF MOUTH with Leiti Hsu
JJ Johnson
This week on WORD OF MOUTH, host Leiti Hsu is on the line with Jessica Tom, author of Food Whore: A Novel of Dining and Deceit. Describing lead character Tia Monroe, who moves to New York City to put herself on the culinary map, her plans go awry as a coveted internship goes up in smoke. Through the plot twists and turns, Jessica admits that she has many things in common with her lead lady who gives an insider's account of the intricate culinary world. After the break, Leiti welcomes JJ Johnson to the studio from the kitchens at The Cecil and Minton's. With a worldly culinary resume, JJ highlights his path from the Culinary Institute of America to Ghana studying West African cuisine to notable NYC restaurants to Bravo's 'Rocco's Dinner Party' to working with Alexander Smalls, Leiti gets the scoop on JJ's childhood and the importance of sports in his life. Hot on the trail of his new show on Esquire, 'The Next Great Burger,' tune in to hear what's next for this chef! This program was brought to you by Whole Foods Market.
"I grew up in this household of flavors and food."
"I never thought in my life I'd be cooking Afro-Asian - not one day!"
"I love cooking in Harlem because it's the best community in the world... I feel it's one of the last places in New York City that actually has a neighborhood culture."
--JJ Johnson on WORD OF MOUTH