TMG

James Coleman Wiggins, also known as Chef Jay, is a DMV-based chef hailing from the Bronx, NY, who has gained notoriety along the east coast for both his culinary talents and flavorful personality.

A Virginia Union graduate, Chef Jay’s passion for food began with his grandmother’s cooking (he still uses many of the recipes she passed on to him today). He first launched professionally under the name Coleman’s Kitchen, with a focus on down-home desserts. He expanded his expertise and range of culinary experience as a founding chef for Mindful Chef, which created prepackaged meals for cross fit and yoga facilities.

Throughout his seasoned career, Chef Jay has served as a restaurant and culinary consultant, food truck operator, and private chef for families, universities, and celebrities such as Chrisette Michelle. An avid educator, he served as dean of student affairs at Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington D.C. for nearly a decade. In 2020, he created and hosted the “Quarantine Kitchen,” a virtual series of cooking demonstrations and classes geared toward pandemic life.

Today, Chef Jay serves as the culinary arts coordinator for Roosevelt High School in Washington, D.C., and an adjunct professor at Prince George Community College, as well as a chef instructor within its culinary arts center. He is the host and co-creator of online reality show, “Chews Me,” in which contestants show off their culinary skills to vie for a blind date.

Outside of the kitchen, James may be found on set as an actor and film producer, or sharing his creative spirit as a soulful DJ under the moniker Mr. Meyagi.