Von Harris, a 15-year-old sophomore at Hinsdale South, had big dreams of opening his own restaurant. He had been learning kitchen skills from his family since he was little. After cooking a dish for his classmates that didn’t quite hit the mark, he realized that he wanted to explore other paths instead of pursuing a career in the professional kitchen.
Transitioning into psychology and music, Harris began managing artists and promoting shows. One of his early clients even gave him the nickname “Fat Jesus,” which stuck with him. His passion for cooking never faded, and he started making meals for himself and those around him using just a few basic kitchen tools. Eventually, he developed his signature smoked wing recipe, which gained popularity after a collaboration in Los Angeles.
During the pandemic, Harris faced a mental reckoning and realized the importance of taking care of himself. He scaled back his artist roster and began focusing more on his cooking ventures. Starting with “Fat Plate Fridays,” he offered pick-up and delivery meals from his apartment in Humboldt Park. The positive response led to catering opportunities for weddings, video shoots, and photo shoots.
As his popularity grew, Harris launched a line of seasonings called Pudgie’s Cabinet, inspired by his childhood nickname. Despite facing setbacks like a knee injury and unexpected rain at a pop-up event, Harris remained resilient and adaptive. He learned to pivot his cooking style to fit different situations, like switching from smoked wings to deep-fried wings at a last-minute event.
Looking ahead, Harris plans to continue his Fat Plate Fridays and explore new opportunities for his culinary creations. His journey from a high school student with big cooking dreams to a thriving cook and entrepreneur showcases the importance of resilience, adaptation, and pursuing your passion. Stay tuned for more from Fat Jesus and his delicious creations.
