Meet Tara Jones

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tara Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tara below.

Tara, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

My faith in God solidifies my sense of being; it is not dependent upon people and cannot be shaken.

I am a firm believer in action and self-reflection: taking action toward a goal, smashing it, framing it and actually looking at that achievement regularly to remind myself of what I can accomplish. When I have moments of self-doubt, it’s time to meditate on my accomplishments! I don’t care if it’s my LinkedIn profile or a culinary award I won; seeing it again fortifies me and motivates me to soldier on.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

At Tara-Peri Chicken, we have always been dedicated to creating a dining experience that transcends cultural boundaries and honors the culinary legacies of the American South, Europe and Africa. This unique heritage restaurant concept is built on the foundation of my genealogy, reflecting a rich tapestry of flavors and traditions passed down through generations.

Currently, our food delivery service is on hiatus as I recover from elbow surgery. This pause, however, has provided my family with a valuable opportunity to focus on enhancing our offerings and refining our future plans. Our commitment to delivering an authentic, multiethnic gastronomic journey remains unwavering, and we are excited about the innovations we are working on behind the scenes.

Our menu has always been an eclectic array of dishes—from our signature peri-peri chicken and original sandwiches, to our classic paella and arancini, to our beloved peach cobbler and handmade pastéis de nata. We are continually exploring new flavors to enthrall our customers and elevate their dining experience.

For those who wish to recreate some of my Mediterranean-aligned Southern recipes at home, my digital cookbook, “Southern Hospitality: Recipes for Sharing,” is now available on our website. My grilled cornbread with marinated tomato salad, andouille flatbread, lemon brandy, Southern lace cookies and coffee punch cake recipes are musts!

Additionally, I am working on a new digital cookbook of holiday recipes, designed to bring the warmth and joy of Tara-Peri Chicken to your festive celebrations.

As we look to the future, our vision is to continue to bring people together through the universal language of food, but on a larger scale. We see immense potential in expanding our concept into a full-fledged restaurant, where each bite is a testament to our commitment to quality and heritage. From our huge array of fresh vegetable dishes to our signature Carolina smoked pulled pork sandwich with bacon to our crispy gouda grits (think arancini), every dish is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a dining experience that is both memorable and satisfying.

We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and invite you to join us in celebrating the rich, diverse flavors that define Tara-Peri Chicken. Together, we can create an extraordinary culinary destination that honors tradition while embracing innovation.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were adaptability, cultural empathy, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. Working in diverse environments in Washington, D.C., Italy and L.A., for major companies like Nestlé, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Disney, required me to adapt quickly to different work cultures and practices.

Adaptability allowed me to thrive in various roles and settings, turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Cultural empathy, on the other hand, was crucial in understanding and appreciating the diverse culinary traditions and practices I encountered, shaping my approach to food and hospitality. Lastly, my thirst for knowledge kept me constantly learning and evolving, which was indispensable in a dynamic field that is always changing.

For those early in their journey, my best advice is to remain open and adaptable. Embrace new experiences and be willing to step out of your comfort zone, as this is where the most significant growth happens. Develop cultural empathy by immersing yourself in different cultures—whether through travel, reading or engaging with diverse communities—and strive to understand the perspectives and traditions that shape them. This will not only enrich your personal life but also enhance your professional capabilities, particularly in fields that value diversity and innovation.

Lastly, never stop learning. Make it a habit to seek out new knowledge and skills continually. This could be through formal education, workshops or simply staying curious and asking questions. In my own journey, working as a chef and culinary expert at Williams-Sonoma in my hometown of Pittsburgh, I found that the more I learned, the more I could contribute creatively and professionally. By focusing on these three areas—adaptability, cultural empathy, and continuous learning—you can build a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling career.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am open to partnering or collaborating with individuals or organizations that possess the power and ability to expand the heritage restaurant concept I have developed.

I am seeking investors and collaborators who share a passion for preserving and celebrating culinary traditions while also bringing innovative ideas to the table.

Those interested in exploring potential partnerships to take this venture to new heights can connect with me directly via email at [email protected]. Together, we can create a unique dining experience that honors rich culinary heritage.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TaraPeriChicken.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TaraPeriChicken
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TaraHarrisJones

Image Credits

Cover photo of me taken by Shannon Skyler of http://champagne.photography