My name is Joseph Hodge, rather known as “Jojo.” I am presently employed at Cap Juluca Hotel as a line cook and at Big & Better Private Catering Service as the Owner/Manager/Chef. As a little boy I always wanted to be a Chef and loved being in the kitchen. I often argued with my mother to allow me to help her. The more I learned to cook the better I became and the more I felt comfortable doing it. Of course I decided to become a chef with the sky as my limit and I will continue to build on my passion and experience to be the best I can be.
I went to the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, where I used to skip a few classes. But I never skipped Hotel Management, Food & Nutrition and Hotel Trades for those were the main subjects I usually did. In 2008, after completing my exams, I attended a workshop in preparation for a job training programme which included a 4 week stint as a line cook at Cap Juluca Hotel.
After the training programme, I called in December 2008 for the position as a line cook, but there was no position at the moment, so I took the job as a dish washer. I strongly stick to my dreams to reach the position I wanted. As time passed I got promoted in 2009 to line cook at the Garde Manger section. That’s when I showed my passion for food. I loved every minute of it until eventually I became a Julucan Junior Chef and was also promoted to work on the hot line.
In November 2009 I was chosen to be one of the Junior Chefs of the Anguilla Culinary team. I was supposed to compete in the Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition in 2010, but did not that year. I participated in the competitions in Miami and got a Silver Medal in 2011 and in 2012 I got both Silver and Bronze Awards. However I chose not to go back, because I found that it was a bit hectic and harassing.
As much as I learnt at Cap Juluca, I gained more experience and knowledge about food from reading Books and online searches. I eventually decided to follow my dreams to do my own business. I started working with a few Chefs in various villas and catering one or two events for the public. In August 2014, my wife and I officially opened our own business “Big & Better Private Catering Service” providing services to the public and private villas.
I would like to say special thanks to my Mom who allowed me to follow my dreams; my lovely wife, Macey Hodge who came into my life, assisted and directed me into opening the business; Karl Woodley and other past teachers at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School for guiding and pushing me throughout the school years; and the kitchen staff at Cap Juluca Hotel; members of the Public and all my clients who have supported me so far.
I still have a lot more to learn and to go on fulfilling my dreams successfully.
