CHEF J. RODI WINS JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN FELLOWSHIP
WORDS BY AVA MOTES
Chef J. Rodi Photo Courtesy of Jen Rodriguez
Cooking may technically be a science, but Jen Rodriguez — better known as Chef J. Rodi — knows it isn’t always an exact one. She’s a big advocate for experimenting with new flavors and creatively salvaging kitchen mistakes, even when it takes a dish in a new direction. For Rodriguez, the culinary world is vast, personal, creative and about much more than following a recipe.
Rodriguez is the owner of 3 Small Plates, a catering company that transports diners around the globe through dynamic meals served in the comfort of their homes. And though she’s already known for sharing practical wisdom during her events, she’ll soon be expanding the educational component of her business with the help of a $10,000 Austin Entertains fellowship from the Junior League of Austin.
The fellowship, which has spotlighted women in Austin’s culinary scene for the past eight years, will support Rodriguez’s plan to launch cooking classes and other hands-on events such as “foodie fights” (chef-led cooking battles). These events will launch this year, she says, and will be open to the public as well as available for private reservations. Through these programs, Rodriguez wants to empower home cooks with the skills, flavor know-how and confidence to experiment in their own kitchens.
“I noticed that when I’m cooking, I’ll take some shortcuts. And I said, you know, this would be helpful to somebody,” Rodriguez says. “A lot of cookbooks don’t meet you where you are. A lot of cooking classes don’t meet you, so we want to be a little different with our classes.”
Rodriguez’s plans for the classes include dissecting students’ favorite dishes to help identify their preferred flavor profiles, teaching recovery tips for common cooking errors, and instilling an appreciation for the cultures and creativity behind global recipes.
“It’s those little things that elevate people’s palate and education,” Rodriguez says. “Food is more than just consumption, it’s more than just nutrition … it’s an experience.”
Rodriguez says she envisions 3 Small Plates as a tree branching into new endeavors while remaining rooted in its foundational catering services. These range from “economy class” meal drop-offs to “first class” experiences with the chef and crew onsite. An evening with 3 Small Plates could feature anything from traditional Spanish tapas to African fritters or a niçoise salad. And every dish is served with an opportunity to ask questions and share personal anecdotes. By cooking around the world, Rodriguez has learned the destination is only half the fun.
“Food is just the conduit,” Rodriguez says. “Whenever you go over to somebody’s house, invariably you end up at the kitchen table and nobody moves. We’re eating and you just keep talking, and you learn so much.”
Rodriguez, a Fort Worth native, first discovered a passion for connecting people through food while watching her grandmother prepare southern meals for family dinner parties. She then went on to host dinners of her own, first on military bases abroad where she worked as an award-winning public affairs specialist and later through her second career as a chef. Now, as she shares her love of global cuisine through events and forthcoming classes, she hopes her guests leave with a greater appreciation for the conversation and discovery that great food can ignite.
To learn more about 3 Small Plates’ catered offerings and stay up-to-date on new educational endeavors, visit 3smallplatescatering.com.
About the Contributor
AVA MOTES is an Austin native who follows the city’s expanding food scene with an eye for the people and stories behind the menus. She loves trying new restaurants, exploring farmers markets, and relaxing in cafes with a good book in hand.
