JJ Johnson JJ Johnson is a James Beard Award-winning chef, TV personality, and author best known for his barrier-breaking cuisine informed by the Caribbean flavors of his upbringing. Chef JJ's signature cooking style combines culturally relevant ingredients and classical technique with a global point of view. At FIELDTRIP, his made-to-order rice bowl concept that debuted in 2019, Johnson highlights rice as a hero ingredient and showcases it in recipes sourced from around the world. Experience FIELDTRIP's first outpost opened in Harlem and has expanded to Rockefeller Center and the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament. One of the only fast-casual restaurants on Esquire's "America's Best New Restaurants" list in 2020, FIELDTRIP utilizes sustainable ingredients and ethically sourced vegetables and proteins, creating a flavorful and diverse dining experience. The brand's motto, "Rice is Culture," was born out of Johnson's belief that rice is the universal ingredient that connects us all and can be found at the center of the table in almost every community.During the pandemic, Johnson saw the community around him struggling to stay afloat and wanted to make a difference. He began donating meals to the local hospital in Harlem to feed nurses, doctors, and first responders in the area that were working to keep everyone safe. The outreach then moved to helping neighbors, by providing free meals to those in need. Shortly after, FIELDTRIP began receiving donations from across the country to continue its work and has since donated over 220,000 meals to support the Harlem community and feed frontline workers throughout the pandemic.Johnson was the executive chef at Harlem landmarks The Cecil and Minton's from 2013 to 2017. He published Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day in 2018, which won a James Beard Book Award in 2019. Johnson is the television host on "Just Eats with Chef JJ" on TV One's network Cleo TV and was a semifinalist for the 2022 James Beard Award for Best Chef: New York City. Education JJ studied culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America. About Food & Wine Food & Wine, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning online resource for anyone passionate about the culinary world. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel and home coverage, we inspire and empower people everywhere to discover, create, and devour the best in food and wine. Learn more about us and our editorial process.