CJ: Personal chef is a great gig. Less hours, higher pay scale compared to

restaurants. Currently work five dinner shifts and one lunch. Cook in

residence. Plan menu's around the best ingredients available.

NT: What's the catering company called? Who do you work with? What kind of events do you do? What's the market like now?

CJ: Bullfrog Eatz (formerly). I have a staff of misfits on call. We cater

the Ultra Music Festival (talent and crew) and Scope Art fairs. The

market is slow, obviously. Even rich people don't want to spend money

now.

NT: What ever happened with Bullfrog Eatz formerly located at NE 2nd Avenue?

CJ: Truth is the original Bullfrog was intended to be a bistro/cafe. We

started out doing lunch and amazing coffee. It just morphed into a

venue/lounge/hangout, which got very tiring.

Great memories.

NT: What does Rick Ross eat? Have you cooked for other celebrities?

CJ: It is fun to cook for him. We do a little bit of everything, high end

stuff: Prime steaks, lobster, prawns, etc. The boss has very good

taste. Other celebs: Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Chevy Chase,

Kennedy Shriver family, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Cox, Moby, the

Cure, etc.

NT: Where do you shop at a regular old Publix, Winn Dixie or specialty

markets? Do you get down with the whole local movement? What type of

cuisine do you specialize in?

CJ: Publix once a week for pantry staples. Epicure daily. Whole Foods

occasionally. Also excellent purveyors when needed. It's hard to do

local in Miami. We have no seasons.

NT: Where do you like to eat in Miami restaurant-wise? Do you cook for yourself or does your work take your energy from that?

CJ: Ethnic eateries, hole in the wall joints: Chez Rosie, Chef Creole, El

Chimi Cart, Christine's Roti, etc. I cook at home when time allows.

Recently, started curing meats and making cheese.

NT: What do you have planned for the future?

CJ: We are going to be open to the public again soon. Retro fitting a 1962

Airstream trailer into a high tech kitchen. It will something of a

Gastro Pub on wheels. Look out Miami!

For more information, visit chefjeremiah.com.

• Interviews