Mr. Jefferson is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. At an early age, Austin grew a love and passion for music and culinary arts through the training and tutelage of his maternal and paternal grandmothers, Ms. Phyllis Howell and Mrs. Jennie Mae Jefferson.

Upon matriculation through the Berkeley and Horry County school systems, Mr. Jefferson attended Winthrop University and received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Integrated Marketing Communication in December 2015. While attending Winthrop University, he faithfully served as the Minister of Music for two churches in Rock Hill, SC and the Vision of Prayze Gospel Choir, where he continues to serve as the advisor for this group. During his tenure, Austin had the opportunity to create an ever growing list of contacts throughout the city, state and Southeast region.

Furthermore, his involvement with Vision of Prayze also allowed him to unify his passions of music and cooking; feeding over 800+ college students through the organization’s annual fish fry along with his personal Sunday Dinners, embodying the spirit of his grandmother who is known in her community for providing home cooked meals to family, friends, and those in need.

Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Mr. Jefferson pursued his passion of cooking and serving others by starting his own business “A & J Catering Services” while simultaneously working in Corporate America as a Marketing Manager. His experiences in both professions have provided a vast amount of tools and resources that have equipped him to lead and grow any business, especially within the food service industry.

As a licensed and insured caterer specializing in southern cuisine and classic Low Country favorites learned from his grandmother, Austin has provided a taste of soul to thousands through catered events, community service initiatives, pop-up shops, and recent weekday sales. He has embodied the spirit and legacy of his grandmother to share love through home cooked meals and plans to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning a restaurant. Austin is a charismatic entrepreneur who believes that through the gift of music and culinary arts, lives can be impacted and changed for the better.