Jerry Houston will have no problem finding friends at school with the dishes he prepares. The 18-year-old from Georgia started his first year at the University of South Carolina Beaufort this fall and gained instant popularity – both at school and on social media – thanks to his viral cooking videos.
His videos offer the Southern Baptist grandmother a Sunday dinner, but some people may be surprised to learn that young Jerry is self-taught!
After a difficult childhood and even becoming homeless at some point, cooking was Jerry’s creative endeavor. “It’s very reassuring,” he told The Shade Room. “I turned something that was negative into something positive.”
Jerry explains that he did not have too many positive figures to look at when he was a child. After being moved from family home to home, he says he was homeless before graduating from high school, but his former high school teacher accepted him so he could finish school.
Cooking remains a way for Jerry, who says his real specialty is baking.
“It was a way out for me to be creative,” he said. “When I was young, I was never given a chance, so when I had the chance, I ran with him.
After graduating from technical high school, he traveled to college, where he is known for celebrating breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some of the dishes and dishes she prepares include roast chicken, pasta and cheese, seafood, creamy beans and cupcakes.
His most watched video on TikTok has over 15 million views.
“I’m breaking the game I feel,” Jerry said of his viral success on social media. “I just enjoy being able to inspire others. I received so many words of encouragement through TikTok. I want to be consistent and stay that way and keep inspiring people. “
His goal is to own a bakery after college, and his specialty will be red velvet cupcakes. In the near future, he is also looking for a mentor to help him start a collection of spice blends.
When asked if he had any advice for other ambitious young chefs and bakers, he said: “Be consistent in what you do, be humble throughout the process and never feel like you can’t turn to someone for help . You have to be able to take risks. ”
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