Celebrating Community, Culture, & Cuisine
about-the-cookout
A VIBE. A MOVEMENT. A MOMENT.
THE COOKOUT is a signature event by Chef JJ Johnson that brings the spirit of Black cookouts to the heart of New York City — a joyful, flavor-packed celebration of chefs, stories, and foodways that have shaped American cuisine. It's culture-forward, rooted in tradition, and unapologetically vibrant.
From legendary talent like REV RUN, D-Nice, Kid Capri and Angela Yee to celebrated chefs and rising stars — The Cookout isn't just a tasting, it's a movement.
Come for the food, stay for the culture.
LOCATION DETAILS COMING SOON
STAY TUNED
About Chef JJ
Chef JJ Johnson is a James Beard Award–winning chef, TV personality, author, and cultural tastemaker known for redefining Afro-Caribbean and global Black cuisines through a contemporary lens.
He is the founder of FIELDTRIP, a community-rooted rice bowl shop, a founding partner of WONDER, Marc Lore's delivery-first food platform, and currently serves as Creative Culinary Director for the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor. JJ is the host of Cleo TV's "Just Eats with Chef JJ," now in its fifth season, and has appeared on "Selena + Chef," Netflix's "Street Food," and the Food Network. His debut cookbook, Between Harlem and Heaven, won the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook, and his second book, The Simple Art of Rice, was named one of The New York Times' Best Cookbooks of 2023.
Beyond the kitchen, JJ works with organizations like Rethink Food and Friends of the Children, using his platform to address hunger, sustainability, and mentorship. His leadership and innovation have earned him accolades from the James Beard Foundation, Esquire, the National Restaurant Association Power List, Eater's New Guard, Forbes 30 Under 30, and Zagat's 30 Under 30.
Event highlights
Chef stations featuring top and rising black culinary talent
Interactive brand activations woven into the event flow
Live music stage featuring DJs and performances
Access to influential cultural tastemakers
Looking to Partner or Sponsor!
