Durham Tech grad takes on the culinary world

Fresh off tour with rap star Ice Cube, where he was the star’s executive creative chef, Durham Tech graduate Jalen Nwachukwu is re-entering his life as a local chef who takes on events and also works with private clients.

“The tour was fast and furious. Five in the morning to midnight,” Nwachukwu said. “I led a sous chef and two dining room attendants. We did breakfast, lunch and dinner each day for Ice Cube, but then we also fed the tour staff and event staff. That was anywhere from 60 to 200 people depending on the city.”

When Nwachukwu wasn’t cooking, he was brainstorming the next meal, replenishing the dressing rooms with requested snacks or sending grocery lists to the next city to have the food there when he arrived.

“We were there to serve good food,” Nwachukwu said. “We went to great lengths to please. I even had one person who wanted grits when we were way up North. We even made that happen.”

Nwachukwu’s attention to detail and desire to make people happy fit nicely with his chosen profession.

“I enjoy the challenge that cooking different types of cuisine brings,” he said. “I don’t limit myself. I’ll try anything.”

This fearlessness and openness make Nwachukwu attractive to clients, especially those who have specific dietary needs. When contacted by a potential client, he talks with them to get a feel for what they are looking for in a chef and from there he curates three menus for the client to give feedback on.

“Once the client looks over the menu ideas I have put together for them, we adjust from there,” Nwachukwu said. “It is a collaborative process. One I enjoy.”

Nwachukwu attended Durham Tech’s culinary arts program from 2023-2025. He left the college with his certificate and an associate degree.

“My program at Durham Tech broadened my skills a lot,” Nwachukwu said. “I had many good instructors who taught me everything from the kitchen to the business side of culinary. I even worked on hospitality.”

Early in his career, Nwachukwu worked for the public library system in Durham County.  It was here that he had the opportunity to cater for events at the main library. His next big step came when he was called upon to cook for local and state politicians at meetings and assemblies.  These steps led to Nwachukwu starting his Durham-based business, Good Eats with Chef J, in 2018. He had one client.  

“I used quite a bit of the business side knowledge I learned at Durham Tech when planning and starting my business,” Nwachukwu said. “What I learned at the College honed skills. I was ready for planning and executing the details like menu design and strong knife skills.”

Just as the business was growing, Covid came along and changed everything.

“Covid was tough on my private chef business, but I worked with the times and began to focus on meal prep and delivery,” Nwachukwu said. “Having knowledge from Durham Tech, I was prepared to make the quick switch and did it fairly seamlessly.”

As Covid eased, Nwachukwu turned his focus back to his private chef and event business.

“I have several jobs on the horizon. The first is working with three musical artists — Carl Thomas, Donell Jones and KeKe Wyatt. They are putting on a Valentine’s Day concert. It will be interesting to find out their likes and dislikes. Then comes the challenge of preparing a unique menu that works for all of them.”

Nwachukwu has solid plans for growing his brand.

“I am going to open a commissary kitchen where food trucks can come prep food in a commercial kitchen,” Nwachukwu said. “I’m researching locations now. The site will also have an event space which opens all kinds of possibilities for my business.”

Next on Nwachukwu’s list is purchasing a food truck. He will lean into his father’s Nigerian heritage and offer an Afro/Caribbean-fusion menu.

“It doesn’t stop there,” Nwachukwu said. “All this leads to a brick-and-mortar restaurant. A place along the lines of J. Alexander’s or Sullivan's. From there who knows what will come next.”