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Conversations with Cameron Mcgriff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Mcgriff.

Hi Cameron, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started Chef Cam & Co. in 2015 with a passion for food, people, and creating experiences that bring others together. In the beginning, I was balancing catering while working a full-time job for 19 years, building the business late nights, early mornings, and weekends. What started with small meal prep orders and local events slowly grew through consistency, word of mouth, and faith.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to cater weddings, corporate events, private dinners, and community experiences throughout Jacksonville and beyond. Some of the opportunities have included serving at venues like VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville Jaguars Stadium events, and partnering with businesses and organizations across the city.

My journey hasn’t been overnight success. It came with sacrifices, long hours, setbacks, and learning the business side of being a chef. But I stayed committed to the vision. In late 2025, I officially stepped away from my corporate career after being let go, to pursue Chef Cam & Co. full-time, and within months I was able to replace the income I once depended on.

Today, Chef Cam & Co. has grown into more than catering. We create luxury culinary experiences, host curated private dining events, mentor aspiring chefs through our bootcamp programs, and continue finding ways to inspire others to bet on themselves. At the center of it all is my faith, my family, and the desire to use my gift to serve people well.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every obstacle helped shape who I am today. One of the biggest challenges was building a business while working a full-time corporate job for 19 years. For years, I balanced long workdays with late nights catering events, preparing meals, and building my brand from the ground up.

In late 2025, I was unexpectedly let go from my corporate position. While it was a difficult moment, deep down I already knew I was outgrowing that season and preparing to fully step into entrepreneurship. What initially felt like a setback became the push I needed to fully bet on myself and pursue Chef Cam & Co. full-time.

There were still many challenges along the way. Learning the business side of being a chef — pricing, staffing, contracts, marketing, and scaling — came through experience, mistakes, and persistence. There were moments of financial pressure, self-doubt, and uncertainty, especially while trying to build something meaningful without major investors or backing.

I also had to overcome the opinions of people who didn’t fully understand the vision early on. Building credibility and consistency takes time, especially when you are creating something from the ground up.

Looking back now, being let go was one of the greatest turning points in my journey. Within months, I was able to replace the income I once depended on while building a business rooted in passion, faith, and purpose. Every challenge strengthened me, sharpened my vision, and reminded me that sometimes the biggest setbacks become the setup for the next chapter.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and executive chef of Chef Cam & Co., a Jacksonville-based catering and culinary experience company specializing in elevated Southern, Caribbean-inspired, and luxury comfort cuisine. We provide full-service catering for weddings, corporate events, private dinners, social gatherings, and curated dining experiences. Over the years, we’ve expanded beyond traditional catering into private chef experiences, luxury plated dinners, grazing tables, meal prep, and mentorship for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs.

I’m known for creating experiences that feel personal, high-end, and memorable while still bringing warmth and comfort through food. Whether it’s an intimate dinner for six guests or a large-scale corporate event, I focus heavily on presentation, hospitality, and making people feel connected through the experience. Signature dishes like glazed lamb chops, Cajun mac and cheese, seafood creations, and elevated Southern-inspired menus have become staples of the brand.

What I’m most proud of is building this business from the ground up while balancing a full-time career for nearly two decades. What started as a passion project became a full-time business that now serves clients across Jacksonville and beyond. I’m also proud that the business has become bigger than food — it has become a platform to inspire others to pursue their gifts, especially aspiring chefs who may not know where to start.

What sets me apart is authenticity and heart. I genuinely care about the people I serve and the experiences I create. I don’t just want clients to enjoy a meal — I want them to remember how they felt. My faith, resilience, work ethic, and ability to connect with people are at the center of everything I do. I also believe my journey makes me relatable. I understand what it means to build something from nothing, and I try to bring that same passion and excellence into every event and every opportunity.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with and support Chef Cam & Co. in several ways. We are available for weddings, corporate catering, private dinners, luxury brunches, community events, meal prep services, and curated culinary experiences throughout Jacksonville and surrounding areas. We also collaborate with venues, event planners, brands, nonprofits, and businesses looking to create memorable food experiences for their guests or clients.

Beyond catering, I also mentor aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs through my chef bootcamp, digital resources, and business coaching programs designed to help others learn the business side of the culinary industry. One of my goals is to help more creatives understand how to turn their talent into a sustainable business.

People can support the brand by booking services, attending our private dining events, partnering on collaborations, sharing our work online, or simply spreading the word about Chef Cam & Co. I truly believe community support has been a huge part of our growth, and I never take that for granted.

I’m always open to opportunities that align with creativity, impact, hospitality, and community. Whether it’s through food, mentorship, partnerships, or events, my goal is to continue creating meaningful experiences that bring people together.

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