About Us

Chef OJ’s culinary journey began in the small town of Blackhawk, Mississippi, where she was born and raised in a family rooted in food and tradition. Inspired by generations of family cooks, her passion for the kitchen ignited at just 8 years old. In the late 1970s, her grandfather opened a family restaurant in Blackhawk, with her grandmother leading as the head cook. After his passing, the business was carried on by her mother, uncle, and aunt—eventually expanding into a new barbecue venture in Greenwood, MS.

By age 11, Chef OJ was working side-by-side with her uncle at his barbecue business—starting at the register and quickly finding her way into the kitchen, learning both the culinary and entrepreneurial side of the family legacy. Throughout her high school years, she continued working in the family business while experimenting with different cuisines at home.

In 2010, she enrolled at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS, earning her Bachelor’s in Business Administration, later followed by an MBA in Finance. It was during this chapter that she met her husband, Rickey—who would become one of her greatest supporters.

What started as fun cooking tutorials for an “invisible audience” in her home kitchen turned into something more. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Chef OJ, like many, found herself at home with time and a desire to create. Encouraged by her husband, she began recording and sharing her recipes online. The response was overwhelming—viewers not only tuned in, but started requesting her meals.

From that momentum, Gourmet Ministries, LLC was born—founded on faith and built around the mission of "ministering love through gourmet meals."

Since then, Chef OJ has evolved her brand into a full-service culinary experience—offering custom catering, curated pop-up menus, and private dining events throughout Oxford and Blackhawk, MS. Known for her energy, creativity, and warm spirit, Chef OJ now specializes in delivering elegant dishes inspired by Southern roots, global flavors, and the personal tastes of her clients.

With a blend of tradition, innovation, and heart, Gourmet Ministries continues to grow—one gourmet meal at a time.

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