CHARLES KONG SOO
charles.kongsoo@guardian.co.tt
James Ross, 12, from Maraval, loves cooking and experimenting with his own spice blends for dry rubs or marinades. He also loves his mom’s cooking and spending time with her in the kitchen. Now, he has turned his love of both into his own business.
James goes to artisan markets with his mom and sister selling his spice blends. The sign on his table says it all, "Let's spice it up!"
Speaking to the Kids' Guardian James said "I have a small business called Jefe's Seasonings. I produce a variety of seasoning blends to enhance foods and pair them with different meals.
"Everyone comes together for the markets, like Bits & Pieces, in MovieTowne, as they are a lot of work. But it’s mostly been my sister, Isabelle and I. She helps with all the important stuff, like sourcing ingredients and packaging and helping me design the label and other things. She was the one who helped me get Jefe’s off the ground.
"I’ve always loved cooking, and I’m always experimenting with new things in the kitchen. I was never really taught, but over time I developed a sense for it."
He said when it comes to business, his dad and Isabelle have taught him everything he knows about keeping Jefe’s as a thriving company.
James' favourite spice blend is called Everything Bagel. You can taste the dedication and hard work they put into it, he said.
He explained that part of this was dehydrating their own onion and garlic granules which can take up to 16 hours for one batch, but it was worth it for the true homemade taste.
Currently, he has two mixes; Jefe's Taco Seasoning and Jefe's Everything Bagel Seasoning. The Taco Seasoning gives anything a Mexican flavour, you can add it to meat, fish, beans or rice, or just about anything when you are cooking. Regarding the Everything Bagel Seasoning, James said that it was a mixed seasoning that goes great as a topping on eggs or avocado.
James Ross making sushi at home.
His mom, Melissa Ross, likes to sprinkle it on vegetables or roasted sweet potatoes, and she also makes a dip with it.
Meanwhile, James shared that his sister likes to mix it with bread crumbs for baking or frying chicken or fish. You can add it to anything, and it is really versatile.
According to James, the business venture started from pandemic boredom; he spent a lot of time cooking in the kitchen and watching cooking tutorials.
One night he was making tacos with his sister, and they decided to craft their own seasoning blend, and from there emerged their first product, Jefe’s Taco Seasoning and the Jefe’s brand was born.
The Fatima College Form 1 Class 4 student's favourite subject is Mathematics.
James is still not sure what he would like to be when he grows up. While his mom said that he should be a chef, he would like to keep it as a hobby.
He lists cooking, making sushi (which he picked up during the pandemic), as well as sailing and biking as his hobbies, and he likes anything on the grill.
James has a nine-month-old Yorkie and her name is Lilly.
His mother said that she and his father, Charles Ross, encourage him in whatever activities he would like to try.
James Ross explaining his new product Everything Bagel Seasoning to a customer at Bits & Pieces artisan market, MovieTowne.
He had always shown an interest in cooking and had a very mature palate from a young age, she said.
Ross said they supported him 100 per cent in his Jefe's venture, and they are incredibly proud of him.
She added that James' dad was a businessman, so he draws inspiration from there.
Ross commented that James had always done well in his schoolwork, but like most children, he needed to be reminded to get it done as he can get easily distracted.
But when he does something, he does it to the best of his ability.
Ross said James was very particular about anything he puts his name on, be it school work or Jefe’s.
James Ross learning how to sail the 420 dinghy at sailing camp this year.
