Jamie Barnes

Chef Jamie Barnes was born in Newport News, VA. Growing up around Southern cuisine combined with a love for Food Network, he enrolled in Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte in 2004. Barnes would go on to work with Harpers Restaurant Group and Ballantyne County Club among other notable places. Gaining a passion for the food truck scene, Barnes acquired a truck with college friend Greg Williams and started What The Fries food truck and eventually brick and mortar. The concept ran from 2014 until its closing in 2024. Currently, Jamie oversees the Culinary aspects of Serving The Culture, a music-based Pop-Up Dinner Series as well as being a freelance Chef. Barnes is also an alumnus of the 26th James Beard Foundation Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change. The Chef has also been a mainstay at several top food festivals throughout Carolinas including Charleston Wine & Food, Bayhaven Food & Wine Festival and Highland Food and Wine. Jamie hopes to open a small café style eatery / bakery based on Virginia/ Southern foodways in the future, where he plans to employ and train Neurodivergent and Special Needs adults. He currently lives in Lake Wylie, SC (right outside of Charlotte NC) with his wife Alicia, and children, Lily, Levi & Lane (RIP)