Chef from 'Hell's Kitchen' cooks free Thanksgiving meal for needy in Macon
Celebrity chef T. Gregoire narrowly missed the opportunity to become head chef at a five-star restaurant in Atlantic City, a turn of events that brought her to Macon's Christ Episcopal Church, where she prepared a free Thanksgiving feast Thursday for dozens of underserved families.
Gregoire, who goes by Chef T, was the most recent runner-up in Fox's "Hell's Kitchen," a competitive reality TV cooking show. The winner's reward was a job that pays a quarter million dollars per year. Since the show's ending, Gregoire decided to cook for a nonprofit for the first time.
"On this day (for) a lot of people, it's more about Thanks-getting versus Thanksgiving, and it's time to give back," Gregoire said. "I'm from a small family, a single family household. ... This platform that I've been given, you know, why not use it for good?"
The 33-year-old chef spent a total of eight hours preparing 500 pounds of food donated by vendors such as U.S. Foods.
"There comes a point where you have to care," Gregoire said. "That's the point where I'm at. ... I used to be a selfish person, and now I'm like, 'I can't be that way anymore. There are so many people dealing with situations that are worse than what I'm dealing with.'"
Outside, Larry Duehart, 40, waited beside the Walnut Street church with his four children while food was being prepared. Duehart, whose house burned down two months ago, said he didn't have any special Thanksgiving plans when he was invited Wednesday by Loaves & Fishes Ministry of Macon.
"When they said she was from 'Hell's Kitchen' I got a little bit more excited," Duehart said. "I'm just curious what they'll serve."
Duehart said he watches "Hell's Kitchen" on TV but had not seen the latest season featuring Gregoire, which aired earlier this year. He said it was his first time eating food cooked by a celebrity chef.
Charles Hines, executive director of the ministry, said the event was for underserved families "that may not have anywhere else to go."
"It is kind of hard when you've got a mother and four children show up at a place that has 300 people. That can be a task," Hines said. "We thought it would be a tremendous treat for people to have a meal prepared by a celebrity chef."
Large dishes of macaroni, baked and glazed ham, seasoned brussels sprouts and more were lined up along tables. Final garnishes and seasonings were completed just before a steady stream of people passed through the line.
Gregoire watched from behind the serving table and witnessed her favorite sight.
It's "when they take the first bite and they become completely aware and don't say anything, and you can see that reaction," the chef said. "That moment is priceless right there. That's the best part."
As executive chef at the high-end restaurant Suwanee Park Tavern in metro Atlanta, Gregoire said she wound up in Macon cooking a free Thanksgiving lunch after meeting an unsatisfied patron at work. Gregoire became friends with the patron, Joanna Summerow, of the Macon chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc.
Gregoire said Summerow introduced her to Hines, and "I fell in love with the mission and the initiative (of Loaves and Fishes). I wanted to help them and partner with them."
The chef said she's planning a big project with the ministry but would not reveal details.
"I hope they feel loved. I hope they feel appreciated, (and) I hope they feel cared for," Gregoire said of those feasting on her culinary creations. "Feeding them today is not going to kill or address the homeless situation, the poverty situation, the underprivileged situation. It's going to take a lot more initiative ... and I'm committed to Loaves & Fishes to continue that work."
To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.
This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 8:56 PM with the headline "Chef from 'Hell's Kitchen' cooks free Thanksgiving meal for needy in Macon ."