You may be familiar with Chef Jameel from the popular Cheesecake Heaven bakery, which offers over 250 different cheesecake flavors. While he was initially inspired to create Cheesecake Heaven due to his ‘love of creating never heard of flavours and flavour combinations in cheesecakes’ he is also an exceptionally talented and well rounded chef. In a 2018 article written by Stephanie Koathes, Chef Jameel noted that he didn’t always want to be a chef. His first career choice was actually pretty surprising. 

“Actually, as a child, I wanted to be a garbage man. As I got older I started to bake as a hobby and the fun of hanging off the side of a truck and visiting everyone’s house like it was Christmas everyday was put on hold. I started culinary school but dropped out shortly after.”

Despite his unique career path, Chef Jameel has solidified himself as a respected culinary professional. 

The Showman Chef Series Showcases Dinner Specials By Weekly Guest Chefs

Amazing food knows no limits. While professionally trained chefs can craft culinary masterpieces that weave unique flavours, textures and diverse ingredients into edible works of art, there are many who are gifted with a natural passion and love for food.

Several weeks ago, The Showman Restaurant launched their Chef Series, and invited professional chefs and home cooks to showcase their love of amazing food and recipes on the Showman menu, for one night only.  To date, there have been several familiar faces on the Chef Series line-up. And, we decided to ask them all the same three questions to learn a bit more about who they are and what motivates them.

Chef Jameel Lightbourn

Showman Chef Series Featured Dish:

Pan Seared Salmon with a Roasted Garlic Mash & Sauteed Asparagus

Chef Jameel’s featured night has passed, but be sure to visit his IG page to see what he will be up to, next. IG @cheesecakeheaven242

Q: What excites you most about cooking?

A: What excites me most about cooking is the fact that you don’t have to stay boxed into traditional methods and techniques – you can be as creative and adventurous as you wish!

Q: What is one tip that you would share with other home cooks?

A: One tip that I would give other home cooks is Experiment..Experiment…Experiment

Q: What is one ingredient that you think every kitchen should have?

A: One ingredient that every kitchen should have is White Pepper

More featured chefs will be announced soon, so be on the lookout on the Showman pages for who will be sharing their flavour packed dishes, next.