It all began for Jerome Brown at Garner’s BBQ in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. As a teenager, he spent endless hours absorbing the wisdom shared by his mentors at this popular neighborhood restaurant. Jerome was a quick study in the kitchen and his confidence and skill set grew rapidly. He was a natural. Jerome had the ability to master any dish with the greatest of ease. All it took was a single lesson or a mere taste of a dish that he could recreate it to perfection. Those around him knew that Jerome had a special gift. After all, he dazzles his family with his very first creation at the tender age of seven – pancakes. It was the lessons learned at Gardner’s BBQ and those taught by his mother and other elders in his family that would prepare Jerome for a heralded career in the culinary arts as Chef Rome – “Personal Chef to the Stars”.

After high school, Chef Rome enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served his country and fellow soldiers in the kitchen. He traveled around the world perfecting his skills and expanding his repertoire to include international cuisine. After miliary service, Chef Rome returned to Rocky Mount. He began work at the upscale Benvenue Country Club and trained under renowned Executive Chef Larry Kennedy.

He soon learned of a single culinary opening at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, and decided to take a chance. The odds were four hundred to one, but Chef Rome was neither intimidated nor deterred. And it was with that attitude that he shattered the odds by beating out the other three hundred ninety-nine applicants to win the position. For more than twenty yeats, Chef Rome has been working to master his craft. But along this journey, he has always maintained a sincere desire to help educate and empower young professionals in the field. In 2000, he created Chef to the Stars, a chef placement service that has successfully places more than seventy-five top chefs in celebrity homes.

His command of the culinary arts extends far beyond the magic he created in the kitchen. In 2001, he was commissioned by former NBA star Issac Austin to consult on the opening of his restaurant. Chef Rome single handedly created the menu, designed the floor plan, and synthesized the operation, management, and overall flow of the kitchen. So, it was no surprise when his services became in high demand.

Chef Rome has shared his passion for cuisine with a variety of A list entertainers, dignitaries, and elite professional athletes such as Colin Powell, Shaquille O’Neal, Priscilla Presley, Star Jones, Raymond Felton, Lamman Rucker, Carl Gustaf (King of Sweden), Byron Cage, Mike Bibby, and more.

He has been a featured African American celebrity chef for two consecutive years at the prestigious Epcot Food & Wine Festival showcasing alongside Cat Cora, Rock Harper, and Robert Irvine. Chef Rome has also appeared at the Taste of Chicago, the world’s largest outdoor food festival. His charisma and culinary talents have caught the eyes of television casting directors and talent producers. In 2011, he was cast in the premiere season of the Food Network’s new reality show “Extreme Chef”. That same year, he appeared in the US Army series “I’ve Got Skills” that aired on ESPN.

Whether he is offering guidance to a client struggling with weight issues, or a novice who simply wants to be educated on healthy food choices and preparation – Chef Rome delivers tailored programs with a kilowatt smile. With his popular “southern meets gourmet” twist on cuisine, clients are amazed to learn that low calorie dishes can still be flavorful and completely satisfying. More important, he is on a mission to use food as a tool to bring families back to the dining table.

Chef Rome is often called upon to share his expertise and participate in the national dialogue on popular health and lifestyle hot topics, ranging from energy boosting foods, cooking techniques, to how to set a table. He has numerous media placements on a variety of media outlets, such as The Food Network, The Gospel Music Channel, ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS, and more. Chef Rome was the healthy chef correspondent for “The Good Life Radio”, and his “Cooking with Rome” radio segment was heard weekly on “The Donnie McClurkin” syndicated radio show.