Chef Amaris Jones — Culinary Innovator, Restaurateur & Cultural Tastemaker

Chef Amaris Jones is a visionary culinary entrepreneur celebrated for redefining modern Soul Food through a lens of health, heritage, and hospitality. Rooted in her formative years spent in her father’s church on Philadelphia’s iconic South Street and inspired by the warmth of generational family gatherings, Chef Amaris has dedicated her career to crafting soulful dishes that speak to both memory and innovation.

In 2012, she burst onto the national scene with the launch of South Street Restaurant in Miami’s Design District—the city’s first upscale Southern-style eatery. Lauded by the likes of Martha Stewart and LeBron James, her restaurant established her as a formidable culinary force. Just a year later, she headlined the Chicken Coupe event at the Food Network’s SOBE Wine & Food Festival, further cementing her status in the industry.

A sought-after private chef and creative culinary producer, Chef Amaris’s prestigious client list includes American Express, JP Morgan Chase, Cadillac, and top global luxury retailers. Her impeccable style and soulful cuisine have made her a go-to talent for high-end event production and bespoke catering nationwide.

In 2023, Chef Amaris reached a career milestone when she was selected as a guest chef for Vice President Kamala Harris at a private fundraiser for the Biden Presidential Campaign, showcasing her culinary talents on one of the most esteemed stages in the country.

Her fast-casual concept, Chick N Jones, opened in 2021 and quickly became a beloved Miami staple, earning the title of "Best Fried Chicken in Miami" by Miami New Times and "Best Pop-Up" by Legacy Magazine. From crave-worthy chicken sandwiches to her signature sweet potato biscuits, every dish at Chick N Jones reflects her commitment to flavor, quality, and cultural pride.

Chef Amaris has also made notable media appearances, including the Oprah Winfrey Network’s Food Fantasies, and served as Chef-at-Large at Marcus Samuelsson’s celebrated Red Rooster Overtown. Her international influence includes representing the U.S. as the lead chef for the Food for Diplomacy Initiative in Istanbul, Turkey, where she introduced global diplomats to the soul of American cuisine.

Her forward-thinking approach extends into food equity and innovation. As an Equity Advisor for the woman-owned cereal brand "Off Limits", she champions inclusivity and representation—values that have shaped her entire career.

Whether developing health-conscious menus for Rick Ross, designing edible bouquets in partnership with Pillsbury, or headlining the Perez Art Museum’s African American Fund Gala for three consecutive years, Chef Amaris continues to blend culture, cuisine, and creativity with purpose and flair.

Chick N Jones—now located in Doral, Florida—continues to serve as a flavorful extension of Chef Amaris's soulful legacy.