More about Jacob:

Chef Jacob has been exploring his love and passion for cooking for over 25 years. When he was three years old in preschool, when asked what he wished to be when he grew up, he answered "a cooker". For many years to follow, his family acted as guinea pigs as he learned to cook. He attended a vocational high school for Culinary Arts and competed in SkillsUSA Ohio, placing fourth in the state. He earned an Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor's Degree in Food Service Management at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte. His passions include building and working with his hands, and his goal is to continue to learn every day.

What is your favorite memory associated with food?

Growing up from a very young age, I remember standing on a dining chair so I could reach the stove. I used to help my mom and grandfather cook as often as I could. Most often, we would Italian comfort foods from scratch. To this day, nothing beats Grandpa's fresh marinara sauce.

What advice do you have for anyone learning to cook for themselves?

For me, learning to cook was a lot of experimentation, slowly over time building a mental library of what ingredients pair well together. So my recommendation is to have fun and enjoy the journey.

What is a fun fact the students should know about you?

When I was a pre-teen, I used to do animal balloon art at the county fair. I still whip out the balloons and pump every now and then.