Member Spotlight: Meet Jennifer Harris
Jennifer Harris is the owner and founder of Jen’s Breakfast Catering. Jen is local to Morristown (a graduate of the Morris School District) and is her happiest providing delicious, original breakfasts for others - at any time of day.
Q. Where are you from and what do you love about Morristown?
A. I’m originally from Rochelle, Georgia, but moved to Morristown when I was 11 and have been living here since. I love how diverse Morristown is. Morristown is special to me since it’s where I started my basketball career. I played for Frelinghuysen and MHS. They built me up to play college ball, which led to playing for the WNBA.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in cooking, and how did you get started?
A. When my basketball career led me to play overseas, I was in culture shock. I needed to cook for myself, and there were all these new flavors and foods. Being exposed to new cuisines really sparked my interest in cooking. I realized not only did I love cooking, but it came to me naturally.
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Bacon is in the same lane as coffee - that smell in the morning, it wakes you up.“
Q. What is your favorite ingredient to work with and why is it special to you?
A. It’s simple but classic: bacon. Bacon is in the same lane as coffee - that smell in the morning, it wakes you up. You can eat it with breakfast, lunch or dinner. I remember growing up, my mom used to cook breakfast for dinner. Even now, my siblings and I - there are 9 of us - will all show up at my mom’s for her breakfast at dinner - even if the text invite comes in at 11PM. A love of bacon is what fuels my love for making breakfasts for people - any time of day.
Q. What are your hopes for your new business?
A. I want to build up my clientele and my brand and eventually own my own breakfast food truck.
“You can have breakfast any time of day…breakfast-for-dinner may be my favorite dinner.”
Q. Describe your ideal customer or setting to serve your food
A. I’ve learned that the corporate crowd loves my food. In the corporate settings for which I’ve prepared food, people keep coming back and many even come with requests to buy my specialty sauce or purchase my products elsewhere. My favorite setting to cook for people is outside.
Q. What is your favorite quote?
A. “You don’t know until you know”. To me this means, if you don’t take the chance…you will never know…..so take the chance…
This quote even applies to my Rising Kitchens experience to date. When I had my interview, I was a little scared. I’m not an executive chef. But I remembered this quote and knew that if I didn’t take this chance, I wouldn’t know what this opportunity could mean for me. I did a little dance when I got back to my car because I was so happy I took this chance…
“My favorite breakfast item to make? I rock out when I make a medium rare steak with sautéed onions, along side sautéed spinach and eggs.”