Jennifer Maune exemplifies the notion that pursuing your dreams is possible at any stage of life, as long as you take it one day at a time. She is gaining recognition in the culinary and design worlds with her southern roots and charming personality. Jennifer draws inspiration from her late grandmother and pours her heart into creating experiences, crafting amazing culinary dishes, and entertaining others. There is an undeniable passion and depth that permeates everything she does, creates, and touches. She has discovered her true calling and is now embarking on a mission to motivate and uplift others.

Cox: Jennifer I’m excited to speak with you about everything you have going on in the world of culinary and design. Before we get into it, I want to ask you, what makes a “Southern Belle?”
Maune: Oh, that’s a funny question. Are you saying that I’m a Southern Bell?
Cox: Yes
Maune: You know it’s funny because when I was in high school, I was in a select choir called Southern Belles. We sang wonderful kinds of old-style music and wore antebellum dresses. But to your question, I think that the two most important parts of someone referred to as a “Southern Bell” are hospitality and kindness. That’s what it’s all about when living in the South. We are always ready to welcome people, whether it be to a friend circle, a social event, or even your home. We just approach everything with kindness, even in professional settings.

Cox: Do you feel your Southern background has impacted your culinary experience and how you approach designing?

Maune: Absolutely. Here in the south, we love cozy, livable, and realistic environments. And I’ve certainly had that exact approach when I looked into planning my restaurant and designing the interiors. It’s because I want your overall experience to be one of feeling welcomed when you walk into the restaurant. And that’s my approach when it comes to home design and cuisine.

Cox: Speaking of culinary, where do your love and passion for it come from?

Maune: I love this question. It goes back to my grandmother, who raised her family in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was a Renaissance woman. She was a mother of five, an educator, and an author. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do. I spent my summers with her growing up, admiring how creative she was. I learned how to host and entertain by watching and assisting her host our holiday events. I can remember so fondly sitting in the kitchen, watching her work, and helping her set the table.

When I got older, I started to help her cook for the events. This is when I felt like my love for cooking and passion for entertainment manifested.

Cox: I want to know about your culinary journey and your educational experience.

Maune: I got my pasty degree first. I took a few culinary classes to satisfy the degree requirement. I knew from those classes that I needed to obtain a culinary degree as well. I knew within the first week of the culinary program that this was what I was supposed to be doing. This is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I even studied at Le Cordon Blue in Paris to get their advanced certification.

Cox: What’s something you love to do with food? You are so versed and educated in the field.

Maune: I love to take a typical recipe or entrée item and turn it into something that is an explosion of flavors, textures, and colors. I love to satisfy all areas of the senses. I’ve grown as a chef and have reached a place in my career where I’m focused on creating a menu that takes people on a culinary experience where all their senses are stimulated.

Cox: Speaking of experience, you are in the process of opening your first restaurant. Tell me about it.

Maune: The restaurant concept is farm-to-table. Customers will be able to enjoy an elevated breakfast, brunch, and lunch experience. It will be a fusion of French and southern-style cooking. It will be something unique that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

Cox: How has it been so far for you to work towards opening it?

Maune: It’s been thrilling, honestly. Since the end of the show, I’ve moved into full planning for the concept and met with five different cities in Arkansas. From chambers of commerce, economic development departments, business leaders, and investors, they have all reached out to me to help be part of this concept. My days never look the same. One day I might be on site looking at commercial property and speaking with an investor from Chicago. It’s exciting because we are discussing what we can all bring to the table to make this successful.

The goal is to do something local in Arkansas because this is home. I want to perfect my business model here and then be able to open multiple locations across the country.

Cox: Now that we’ve got the food out of the way, I want to know more about Jennifer, the interior designer.

Maune: You know a funny story. When I was around eight, I took an etiquette class with my aunt. We learned how to set the table, where forks go, how many pieces of silverware are used, and even where and how to place the napkins. Then we learned about the different courses for the evening. From starting with hors d’oeuvres to soup, salad, entrée, desserts, and where the bread goes, by that age, I was already setting formal tables for my mom and dad after they got home from a long day of work. So, design has always been a part of who I am and what I love to do.

Cox: What took you down the path of making it a career choice?

Maune: In my early twenties, I took some design courses. It was a yearlong program with a local designer in Little Rock. I learned about all different types of design, styles, concepts, and best practices. I was able to see how these were applied by visiting the homes they worked on. Then I had the opportunity to participate in a full-day design project with the designer, where we transformed a home and did a full install.

It was six years ago when the transition into it as a career started. I had a blog where I shared tablescapes as I started renovating our home. I shared all our projects, and they grew in popularity on social media, especially Pinterest. I grew a following of people who just loved the designs, styles, and ideas I would share.

Cox: How does it feel to be living your dream while combining two of your passions and loves?

Maune: Everything that is happening right now is a dream come true. You know, what’s interesting is that, about four years ago, I knew that I wanted to open a restaurant. I know that I also wanted my own home décor line.

Cox: Was being on MasterChef part of the plan?

Maune: It wasn’t, actually. I found out about the casting one day and thought to myself that I might as well give it a shot. And then they called me the next day. The rest was history from there.

You know it’s funny because I’m a person of faith. I knew that I needed to grow in recognition and exposure so that I could have a loyal base of followers for everything I wanted to accomplish. I believe things happen for a reason. I had these big dreams years ago, and God knew that I needed something big, like the opportunity to be on MasterChef, to make it all happen. And now I’m getting to do everything I’ve always wanted to do.

Cox: As a person of faith, what has kept you going in the darkest of times? This journey is never easy.

Maune: Any entrepreneur knows that there are going to be ups, downs, and challenges on this journey. One of my favorite passages is Second Corinthians 1 through 5. It basically says we have a glorious call, but not an easy journey. And one of my goals is to inspire other women to pursue their passions and goals.

Also, another verse that has always been super special to me is, Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. I rely on this one because I know he has ordered my steps. There is a future for me that he has planned.

Cox: Jennifer, you are a mother of six doing it all. What’s some advice you want to give to women and mothers alike who may want to embark on the entrepreneurial journey but fear they can’t balance it all?

Maune: I would say for all women to give themselves grace. We aren’t going to be perfect at everything we do. We’re not going to always do things right. And mom’s guilt is certainly a very real thing. I had mom guilt while I was away filming, even though my husband and kids supported me in pursuing my dreams. They were fully supportive. They missed me, and I missed them. It was the hardest thing we’ve ever done as a family.

As women, we have to know that sometimes things are going to be out of balance for a moment. That’s why we need to give ourselves grace. For example, I was recently gone for three days, but I’m taking these next three days off to spend with my family and focus on them.

Cox: Before you go, please tell me what’s next for you outside of what we talked about.

Maune: I have a seasoning brand called Heritage Seasoning that I’m releasing. I’m starting with three seasonings: garlic pepper, lemon pepper, and all-purpose. They were all developed in my kitchen and blended here in Arkansas. And it’s a fully organic brand. It will be ready to ship nationwide within the next few weeks.

In the fall of 2024, I have a holiday cookbook coming out as well. That’s the tentative timeline. It will have recipes and menus for each major holiday for you to enjoy with the family. There will also be some fun decorating ideas for you to use for table settings, kitchens, and entertainment spaces in your home.

And I’m also now offering private chef events, speaking engagements, and cooking demos across the country. People can book me for all these types of events and experiences.