TALK OF GREENWOOD
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
Chef Jason “JV” Vaughan is the TV set chef and caterer for Food Network’s “The Pioneer Woman,” starring Ree Drummond. Photo Provided
Chef Jason “JV” Vaughan, a recognized local chef de cuisine, has added another accomplishment to his list of achievements.
Vaughan was honored by his fraternity, Sigma Nu, which dedicated his name to the Epsilon Beta chapter house kitchen at Drury University in Springfield, Mo. He was the first Black initiate in 1992, during the fraternity’s then-73-year history as a university chapter.
The kitchen’s official name will be the “JV’s Mess Hall – Chef Jason Kendrick Vaughan.”
He said the honor is “overwhelming.”
He said his interest in food preparation began after his athletic career ended with a knee injury.
“I became a full-time student. My first jobs were working in local restaurants,” said Vaughan
While a student at Drury, he decided to attend a local trade and culinary school. He enrolled for two years, and this was the beginning of his pursuit of a new interest.
Even with his many catering responsibilities after 30 years, he is still the informal chapter advisor to the fraternity members today.
Vaughan is an accomplished executive chef. His experiences include launching and managing restaurants, clubs, and bars; participating in 21 new restaurant openings; and appearing in 20 television productions. His clientele consists of athletes, celebrities, artists, musicians, and models.
He is also the set chef and caterer for the Food Network’s “The Pioneer Woman,” which features Ree Drummond.
For catering information, contact Chef Jason “JV” Vaughan at his email address, chefjvok@yahoo.com, or Instagram, chefjvok.
