The last time we wrote about Chef Mary Beth Lawton Johnson, ccc, cepc, she was working as a private chef on yachts. Since then she has moved to higher ground and is now working as a private chef for a high-profile family in undisclosed locations. Her client list is a well-kept secret, but not among the rich and famous who retain her culinary expertise. Her home is still in Florida, but her current client base is in the Midwest. She travels by land and sea via private yacht with her current clients, who are an older couple, but when their entire clan gets together, it is not unusual for Chef Mary Beth to prepare sumptuous meals for up to twenty people. [EMBED press kit]
What are you doing these days? Latest Projects?
Chef Mary Beth: I’m working for the private sector individuals/couples, same as I have been doing for 25 years, but my employment has now sort of morphed in different directions. Now I have started the additional role as estate manager for several estates and also preparing cuisine for the principals.
What are the latest trends in food?
Chef Mary Beth: Latest trends to stay are pure foods, no fillers, pure health trends, smaller portions, artisan foods, hand crafted. Gone are the chef promo foods, or chef owned foods. Who cares if they designed it. I don't. I want true craftsmanship in my foods, unique flavors and so does most everyone, not who endorses it. Not even in my cat food.
What are your top three favorite dishes?
Chef Mary Beth: Indian food, real authentic Italian cuisine from Italy like my brother-in-laws’ food from Venice, and finally southern comfort food, such as my grandmother’s fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits—my favorite for sure.
What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Where will you be?
Chef Mary Beth: Well, I am flying to Charleston, SC, near where I grew up, then heading to my families, possibly looking at a property for sale then heading down to Florida to see my fur babies, then back to work.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you while you were working? Chef Mary Beth: Everything that could happen, has happened to me while cooking. Some hilarious, some embarrassing, and if you ever say it hasn't, you haven't cooked long enough or been anywhere. One is when I turned around and was staring at the belly button of Shaquille O’Neal. I had a knife in my hand at the time. Don't sneak up on me.
6. Who are the top 3 people you would like to prepare a meal for?
Chef Mary Beth: Honestly, no one in particular. That doesn't excite me as a chef. I would rather show them the artisan foods and unique flavors of where I grew up and other people’s cooking.
7. Who are your favorite Chefs?
Chef Mary Beth: There is only one I admire for his rawness and that’s Anthony Bourdain. Gordon Ramsey would be another. Overall, I don’t really have favorite chefs. I don’t buy cookbooks. I don’t watch the food networks because it’s cookie cutter. If I watched anyone, it would be Anthony Bourdain because he’s raw and creates some amazing dishes, and Gordon Ramsey because he wants to create a better chef. Southern chef John Martin Taylor is also great. I love his food which is inspired from Plantation homes.
8. Name some important food trends of the future?
Chef Mary Beth: An important food trend that is here to stay is hand-crafted, artisanal foods. Gone are the prepackaged bland celebrity chef-endorsed foods.
9. What are the top 3 ‘to-do’ things on your bucket list?
Chef Mary Beth: To have a dog, spend time with my fur babies, and family. I’ve done it all. Now I just want to be with the ones I love. Maybe go back to Costa Rica.
10. Do you have any other special talents people would be surprised to find out about you?
Chef Mary Beth: Well, I was born with a gift (that of a medium, remote viewer, and yes, psychic) but where I grew up, and in the time I grew up, no one would accept it. The deep south “bible belt” views gifts such as mine as bad, sort of like the Salem witch trials. So I kept my gifts hidden for many years. Now it is very hard to keep hidden. I have other paranormal groups come to me and ask me how I happen to get so much and how I know things. I’ve had famous celebrities call me to see if I am real because I read them and they just couldn't believe my gift. So, I don't charge money and I help people find closure. I am booked for over a year and a half out and I have had six producers who want to somehow put my gift into a TV show. So we shall see if it comes to fruition. The most important aspect is that I help others, that is all I want to do, I want to give back.
For more insight into the gifts of what a medium does and what a medium sees, check out Chef Mary Beth’s other side, where she wears another type of hat! Does this mean Chef MB will be able to channel your great Aunt’s recipe for Welsh Rarebit stew? Stay tuned!