Oscar McKenzie Jr II (OJ) has worked in culinary arts in Syracuse, NY and Atlanta Ga for more than 15 years, but his passion for scratch cooking and natural ingredients began in his mother’s kitchen when he was only eight years old. Ten years later he used his passion for creating delicious nutritious meals for himself and his family to transform the habits of the next generation by teaching basic culinary skills to students in a summer program where he also served as a meal planner and chef. In the years that followed, Oscar studied Hospitality and Food Service Management at Syracuse University, then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned an MBA in Finance from Clark Atlanta University. Since then he has refined his skills by catering private events and working at local establishments such as Lunch on Main Street in College Park, Ga, and Rise N Dine in Decatur, Ga. These experiences have helped Oscar perfect his craft in an effort to define his long-term culinary influence. In the process he has developed and improved the Essential Gourmet brand. His ultimate goal is to create a group of food brands that deliver quality food to the global community with the help of local farmers leaving the world better than he found it.
Our Mission
To Provide you with the finest quality of dining through wholesome food, nutritious menu development, and catering for your everyday life.
The Essential Gourmet STory
Essential Gourmet provides a path to a healthier way of life. We take natural ingredients and create traditional meals that offer you a more nutritious way to enjoy the foods you love. Your busy lifestyle does not have to result in poor eating habits. We want to support you as you make your health a priority. Rather than change your eating habits for a season, let us help you adopt a new way of life. We provide a wholesome alternative to cooking at home. No need to worry about meal planning and grocery shopping. Let us be your personal chef.
Who is Essential Gourmet?
Essential Gourmet is an Eclectic American food brand. We offer meals on our website for purchase and pick up in Atlanta Ga through the EG Meals website. Our menu changes weekly and features fresh, local and sustainable ingredients. We create dishes that feature the best seasonal flavors.
Essential Gourmet is a movement! A movement toward eating to feel good, and toward responsibly sourced food. It’s also a movement toward leaving the world better than we found it. We strive to improve the quality of your life through food and service. We will treat you like a guest, but make you feel like family because we want you to help you live a long healthy life.
That is who we are. That is what we offer...Essential Gourmet is fuel for your life. So join the revolution!