Chef May Add Reality To Her Plate

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Thanks to reality TV, Loretta Jones could become a food star – and get a kitchen upgrade. Here’s how that’s happening:

A veteran of the catering business, she opened JJ’s Bistro in Inglewood about 18 months ago. Then her boyfriend, Bishop Noel Jones, became one of six African-American religious leaders starring in Oxygen Network’s reality series “Preachers of L.A.”

On the show, which has been airing since the fall, scenes of her up-and-down relationship with Jones (brother of 1980s pop star Grace Jones) have played out in several scenes shot at JJ’s, which serves Louisiana-influenced cuisine a short drive from the Forum. Popular menu items include New Orleans-style shrimp and grits, and spicy lime barbecue chicken with macaroni and cheese.

The restaurant’s exposure on the TV show boosted its popularity among locals. But more significantly, it also drew attention from an agent for the Food Network, who approached Loretta Jones and suggested she try out for a new 30-minute daily reality show on the network.

“Ever since I opened my restaurant, my aim was to get featured on the Food Network, so this was a dream about to come true,” said Jones, 43.

This week, one of the Food Network’s directors will be coming out to JJ’s for a tasting. If the fare meets with his approval, she and her restaurant will get the show she wants.

Another bonus: The show comes with a complete kitchen makeover, including the latest in restaurant appliances from Viking Range, one of the network’s sponsors. Jones said she would also be getting other compensation.

She said filming would likely take place in the morning, before JJ’s opens.

So will she follow in

the footsteps of other TV food stars such as

Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay?

“Sure, I would explore being on television,” Jones said. “But my first love is being a chef at an actual restaurant. I’ve got my sights set on opening a new restaurant in Santa Monica.”

– Howard Fine

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Howard Fine
Howard Fine is a 23-year veteran of the Los Angeles Business Journal. He covers stories pertaining to healthcare, biomedicine, energy, engineering, construction, and infrastructure. He has won several awards, including Best Body of Work for a single reporter from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers and Distinguished Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists.

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