Reviews and Extras

Your Name: James K Jones

Your title: Chef/Owner

Restaurant Name: Kairos Kafe

Mission Statement: Building Relationships Around Food

Restaurant address: 515 University Blvd. (The Old Ollie's BBQ Building)

Restaurant phone # (for publication): 251-3101

Restaurant's specialty (i.e. what type food): Authentic Southern Cuisine with a Greek Influence (kinda like Mee-Maw went to the Mediterranean and brought back some recipes to blend with her own)

What sets your restaurant apart from others: The Food, it's very unique, and the fact that we share the building with our Church (Grace & Truth)

How long has the restaurant been open: Since December 4th, 2006, a little over 18 months
Any honors you want to mention: 2 great reviews from the Birmingham News, two monthly cooking segments on Fox 6, and most recently we were chosen to be one of the restaurants that represented Birmingham in the 2008 "Taste of the Nation"

What's new at the restaurant: Chicken Marsala

Job you'd have if not a chef? A Waiter, I love the service side of this business, and being able to connect with people

Who/what inspired your love for cooking (explain who they are)? My Grandmothers, Sara Jones of Atlanta, and Gladys Whitaker of Phenix City, Alabama. For as long as I can remember, they allowed me to make endless messes in their kitchens, and shared their recipes.

Your mentor (give name and brief id): Steve Longenecker, My Pastor, My Friend, and the best Coach for anything I may be facing in life, or trying to acheive

Best advice you were ever given: Follow My Heart

Your first cooking memory: My Mom, Norma Pierce of Birmingham, teaching me how to warm up ABC's & 123's

Your worst cooking disaster: Catering my Aunt's Wedding 150 miles away. The kitchen only had an old oven, and I burned the chicken tenderloins. I covered them in Honeymustard to make them edible. It worked, and now that recipe is J.J.'s Original Chicken Tenderloins on our menu.

Restaurant-related thing you're proudest of: That we started from scratch, and did 90% of the work ourselves with a long list of faithful investors. And that our food is authentic

Favorite type food to prepare: Recipes that are family favorites, or cultural favorites, food that has some memories attached to it

Favorite food to eat: Home-Cooked Southern Food

Favorite food-related Web site: www.foodnetwork.com

What would you choose for your final meal: My Momma's Spaghetti

Favorite restaurant (other than your own; where is it?): Chef Bob's "The Mall Cafe" in Trussville

Chef you most admire (with short id): Paula Deen, because she started from nothing, and followed her dreams, and her recipes are awesome!

Favorite spice: Freshly Ground White Pepper

Favorite herb: Basil

Do you cook at home? Some, but I would rather eat my Mom's or my Girlfriend's Food

Kitchen gadget you couldn't work without: A Sharp Chef's Knife

Most disappointing kitchen gadget: They are all disappointing to me, and its easier for me to work with a set of knives

Strangest occurrence in your restaurant's dining room: a customer sent word to me that I "Put my Foot" in her meal. She meant it as a compliment, but I've never heard that before, so I thought something was terribly wrong.

Food/restaurant-related pet peeve: Uninterested Servers, and food that is prepared sloppily

Advice for someone outfitting a residential kitchen: Go ahead and splurge on good appliances, they will last you a lifetime, and make sure you have plenty of space on the counters and in the cabinets

Worst mistake most cooks make: Making a Menu too complicated , by going overboard because of the need to impress, instead of being themselves

Your best-kept kitchen secret: Being organized, working from a list of notes, and cleaning as I go

Advice for pulling off a last-minute meal: Think simple but delicious, and use what you have on hand. Don't be afraid to get creative

Your best cooking tip: Love what you're doing, and put some of your own heart into your food (even if its a cherished recipe). Go ahead and put your mark on it, and don't be afraid to go beyond the boundaries established by others

Where will you be in 10 years: By the Grace of God, Overseeing a String of Kairos Kafe's

Any final words or thoughts: Cooking is a vehicle that anyone can use to connect with others, and build great relationships!