https://foodjonezi.com/, https://foodjonezifriendz.org/

Food Jonezi, Washington D.C., DC (2026)

02/27/2026

The Kentucky Fish Fry 🐟🔥

We’re continuing our journey through Kentucky with Chef Austin, diving into the deep-fried tradition of the Fish Fry. 🏛️🧡

In Kentucky, especially along the banks of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, the Fish Fry has been a cornerstone of the Black community for generations. Beyond family gatherings, the Fish Fry was often a “Rent Party” staple- a way for our ancestors to build community wealth, support local churches, and sustain one another through hard times.

While the rivers provided an abundance of nutrient-dense catfish and bass, our ancestors transformed these catches into a high-protein celebration. Today, we know that fish like catfish are packed with B12 and heart-healthy Omega-3s. Our ancestors may not have had the science, but they had the wisdom to know that this “river gold” was life-sustaining fuel. ✊🏾

Chef Austin’s Kentucky Catfish & Tartar Sauce 🍳

The Ingredients:

2 Catfish fillets

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup yellow cornmeal

The Seasoning: Paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Homemade Tartar Sauce: Mayo, relish, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, and a pinch of sugar.

The Method:

The Soak: Pat the fish dry, then soak in buttermilk in the fridge for at least 10 minutes. This helps the coating stick and keeps the fish tender!

The Dredge: Mix cornmeal with your spices. Take the fish straight from the buttermilk and coat both sides thoroughly.

The Fry: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry until both sides are golden brown and crispy.

The Drain: Always rest your fish on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.

The Sauce: Whisk your tartar ingredients together and serve fresh!

02/26/2026

The Kentucky Fish Fry 🐟🔥

We’re continuing our journey through Kentucky with Chef Austin, diving into the deep-fried tradition of the Fish Fry. 🏛️🧡

In Kentucky, especially along the banks of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, the Fish Fry has been a cornerstone of the Black community for generations. Beyond family gatherings, the Fish Fry was often a "Rent Party" staple- a way for our ancestors to build community wealth, support local churches, and sustain one another through hard times.

While the rivers provided an abundance of nutrient-dense catfish and bass, our ancestors transformed these catches into a high-protein celebration. Today, we know that fish like catfish are packed with B12 and heart-healthy Omega-3s. Our ancestors may not have had the science, but they had the wisdom to know that this "river gold" was life-sustaining fuel. ✊🏾

Chef Austin’s Kentucky Catfish & Tartar Sauce 🍳

The Ingredients:

2 Catfish fillets

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup yellow cornmeal

The Seasoning: Paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Homemade Tartar Sauce: Mayo, relish, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, and a pinch of sugar.

The Method:

The Soak: Pat the fish dry, then soak in buttermilk in the fridge for at least 10 minutes. This helps the coating stick and keeps the fish tender!

The Dredge: Mix cornmeal with your spices. Take the fish straight from the buttermilk and coat both sides thoroughly.

The Fry: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry until both sides are golden brown and crispy.

The Drain: Always rest your fish on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.

The Sauce: Whisk your tartar ingredients together and serve fresh!

02/24/2026

The Heritage Power Bowl: Sweet Potato & Goat Cheese Mashup

For our final salad of the month, we are bringing it all together! At Food Jonezi, we believe in the power of the Succession Salad- combining our Black Legacy Superfoods to create a meal that is twice as strong for your heart.

Today, we are pairing the potassium-rich sweet potato with the high-fiber black-eyed pea. This duo is a dream team for your blood pressure and your cholesterol. To take the flavor to the next level, we are adding a touch of creamy goat cheese.

The Food Jonezi Flavor Secret:
Goat cheese is a heart-health hero in the dairy world. It is naturally lower in sodium than many other cheeses, and because the flavor is so bold and tangy, a little bit goes a long way! It adds a creamy "dressing" feel to the salad without the need for added salt or processed oils.

The Heritage Power Bowl Recipe:

The Base: 2 cups of roasted sweet potato cubes (keep that skin on for fiber!).

The Protein: 1 cup of black-eyed peas (rinsed thoroughly to wash away the salt).

The Cream: 1 ounce of crumbled goat cheese.

The Green: A bed of fresh arugula or massaged collard ribbons.

The Dressing: A simple squeeze of fresh lemon and a crack of black pepper.

Why it works:
The sweet potato provides the potassium your heart needs, the black-eyed peas provide plant-based protein, and the goat cheese adds a healthy fat that helps your body absorb all those vitamins.

It is filling, sophisticated, and stays true to our mission of no added salt or sugar.

02/24/2026

The Root of Resilience

For our final week of Black History Month, we are honoring a root vegetable that is synonymous with the Black table: the sweet potato. When we eat sweet potatoes, we are honoring a legacy of adaptation. We are eating a food that kept us strong then and keeps us healthy now.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a “Sweet & Savory” salad that uses the creamy texture of the sweet potato to ditch the mayo and the salt!

02/24/2026

The Root of Resilience

For our final week of Black History Month, we are honoring a root vegetable that is synonymous with the Black table: the sweet potato. When we eat sweet potatoes, we are honoring a legacy of adaptation. We are eating a food that kept us strong then and keeps us healthy now.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a "Sweet & Savory" salad that uses the creamy texture of the sweet potato to ditch the mayo and the salt!

02/20/2026

Meet the Heart and Founder of Food Jonezi: Charmaine Jones

it is only right during Black History Month that we highlight the woman leading the charge for health in our city.

Charmaine Jones, MS, RDN, LD, isn’t just a dietitian; she is a culinary advocate on a mission to prove that healthy food is for everyone, regardless of what color your skin or how much money you have in your bank account.

Through Food Jonezi and the non-profit Food Jonezi Friendz, Charmaine has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between clinical nutrition and the soul of our community. Whether she is mentoring the next generation of DC youth in the kitchen or challenging local chefs to create world-class dishes without a single grain of added salt, her goal is always the same: making health is our greatest legacy.

Charmaine’s approach is rooted in the belief that we don’t have to give up our culture to save our hearts. We just have to reclaim the science and the flavor that was always ours.

Today, we celebrate her vision, her hustle, and her heart for the city of DC.

02/20/2026

Meet the Heart and Founder of Food Jonezi: Charmaine Jones

it is only right during Black History Month that we highlight the woman leading the charge for health in our city.

Charmaine Jones, MS, RDN, LD, isn’t just a dietitian; she is a culinary advocate on a mission to prove that healthy food is for everyone, regardless of what color your skin or how much money you have in your bank account.

Through Food Jonezi and the non-profit Food Jonezi Friendz, Charmaine has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between clinical nutrition and the soul of our community. Whether she is mentoring the next generation of DC youth in the kitchen or challenging local chefs to create world-class dishes without a single grain of added salt, her goal is always the same: making health is our greatest legacy.

Charmaine’s approach is rooted in the belief that we don't have to give up our culture to save our hearts. We just have to reclaim the science and the flavor that was always ours.

Today, we celebrate her vision, her hustle, and her heart for the city of DC.

02/20/2026

We’re back in Kentucky with Chef Austin for a dish that defines Southern comfort: Chicken and Dumplings. 🏛️🧡

While dumplings have roots in many cultures, in the Black community, this dish became a masterpiece of survival and soul. During the Great Depression and beyond, our ancestors used "boiled dough" to stretch a single chicken to feed a whole family. What started as a way to make limited resources last became a celebrated tradition.

In the late 1800s, chicken was actually a luxury meat! By combining it with simple flour, herbs, and garden vegetables, cooks created a rich, filling "one-pot" wonder that provided warmth and nutrition during the hardest of times. Today, we honor that brilliance- turning simple ingredients into a meal that feels like a hug. ✊🏾

Chef Austin’s Kentucky Chicken & Dumplings 🥘

The Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts

64 oz unsalted chicken stock

Biscuit dough (enough for 8 biscuits), cut into slivers

4 tbsp unsalted butter

4 celery stalks & 4 carrots (diced)

1 small onion (diced)

The Herbs: Coriander, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sage.

The Slurry: 2 tbsp flour + ½ cup heavy whipping cream.

The Method:

Brown the Bird: Brown seasoned chicken in 2 tbsp butter. Remove and set aside to rest.

Sweat the Veg: In the same pot, sauté celery, carrots, and onions in 1 tbsp butter until translucent (about 10 mins).

Infuse: Add coriander, garlic, and fresh herbs; sauté for 5 mins.

The Base: Deglaze with a splash of stock, then add the rest. Simmer for 30 mins.

The Prep: Shred your chicken. Whisk your cream and flour (slurry) and keep it cold. Cut your biscuit dough into small pieces.

The Finish: Remove herb stems. Add shredded chicken back for 5 mins. Add dough, cover, and simmer for 10 mins.

Thicken: Stir in the slurry and simmer for 10 more mins until creamy and thick.

Serve it warm and feel the history in every bite! 🥄

02/18/2026

The Hydration Bowl: Watermelon & Cucumber Cooler

Welcome to the watermelon week of our Salad Series! We are closing out February with a dish that is as refreshing as it is medicinal. Today, we are combining our Black Legacy Superfood, the watermelon, with crisp cucumber for the ultimate heart-healthy cool-down.

At Food Jonezi, we know that one of the best ways to support your heart is to stay hydrated. This salad is packed with Citrulline (from the watermelon) to help your blood vessels relax and Vitamin K (from the cucumber) for healthy circulation.

The Flavor Secret: Since we are staying away from the salt shaker, we rely on the zing of fresh lime and the cooling touch of mint.

The Food Jonezi Heart-Healthy Tip: If you want to add a little creamy tang, you can toss in a small amount of crumbled feta cheese. But here is the secret to keeping it heart-healthy: choose a "reduced sodium" feta or rinse your feta crumbles under cold water quickly to remove the excess surface brine before adding them to the bowl!

The Hydration Bowl Recipe:

The Base: 2 cups of cubed watermelon (chilled).

The Crunch: 1 cup of chopped cucumber.

The Green: A handful of fresh mint leaves.

The Tang: A light sprinkle of rinsed feta crumbles.

The Dressing: Fresh lime juice and a tiny splash of olive oil.

Why it works: Watermelon and cucumber help flush out excess sodium. By rinsing the feta, you get that savory kick without the high sodium hit that usually comes with it.

This is flavor. This is heritage. This is heart-healthy.

02/17/2026

Call to Chefs: Healthy Flavors of the City 2026

DC Chefs: Can you bring the flavor without the salt shaker?

Here is the deal: Food Jonezi Friendz covers the cost of the food. You bring your talent, your team, and your creativity. You will have your own dedicated station to showcase your brand and connect with the community.

The Challenge: To protect the hearts of our neighbors, the only rules are no added salt and no added sugar. We want to see how you use fresh herbs, spices, and expert techniques to make a dish shine.

Are you ready to use your skills for a greater mission?

We are hosting an information meeting for all interested chefs to give you the full scoop on the event and how we support our partners.

DM us or comment the word CHEF below to receive the meeting link and more details. Let’s show DC that healthy food has the most flavor!

02/17/2026

The Reclaiming of the Watermelon

This week we are talking about a fruit that is as deep in history as it is in hydration: the watermelon.

At Food Jonezi, we are reclaiming the narrative. While history tried to use this fruit to diminish us, the truth is that watermelon was a symbol of Black freedom and entrepreneurship following Emancipation. But its story starts much further back, in the Kalahari Desert of Africa.

When we eat watermelon, we are celebrating a fruit of survival, a fruit of freedom, and a fruit of peak physical health.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a refreshing salad that combines this sweet legacy with a savory, heart-healthy crunch!

Food Jonezi

02/27/2026

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02/24/2026

02/24/2026

02/24/2026

02/20/2026

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02/18/2026

02/17/2026

02/17/2026

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