Journeys Feature: Chef Judson Todd Allen, Taste 222

Journeys is the new Flavors of Chicago! Join the ALF, GLD at this exciting chef-tasting event on Friday, September 8th! Chef Judson will be preparing food in our Get Fit VIP Lounge.

Chicago native, Judson Todd Allen is the CEO and Executive Chef of Healthy Infused Cuisine, LLC. A premium cuisine company that provides customized personal, private and event chef services, catering to clients who desire healthier food choices that don’t compromise taste. Clients consist of executives from the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and corporations including Walgreens to moguls in entertainment such as national radio and TV talk show host Steve Harvey, along with Emmy® Award winning Casting Director Robi Reed of the Reed For Hope Foundation (RFHF).

Chef Judson had a passion for food early in life. It led him to earn a degree in Food Science/Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. In addition, Chef Judson has traveled the world in search of hidden culinary treasures. While in Paris, he studied at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu and the Ritz. In 2011, the tragic tsunami prevented his trip to explore food cultures of Japan as he had recently throughout the island of Puerto Rico, yet he’s determined to attempt that trip again. Recently, Chef Judson traveled throughout the Islands of Jamaica and Bahamas to uncover the indigenous spices, ingredients and techniques used in food preparation. With diabetes and hypertension being a huge concern, he carved a niche providing his culinary fusion of healthier cultural food experiences.

Known as the ‘Architect of Flavor®’, Chef Judson’s mission is to design powerhouse flavors sourcing seasonal, local and sustainable ingredients, that change the way people think and feel about healthier foods. Chef Judson struggled with weight for a significant part of his life and now maintains a weight loss of over 160lbs.

Chef Judson’s passion for childhood obesity and other healthy related causes has positioned him in roles of advisory and endorsements. He encourages culinary integration through corporate partnerships, such as Interactive One, General Motors; Buick LaCrosse, Uptown Magazine’s ‘Healthy Flavorful Holiday Recipes’, State of Illinois Culinary Kids Nutritional Guide and the National Pork Board introducing healthy tenderloin recipes. Vegetarian giant, Morning Star Farms sought Chef Judson’s innovation approach to recreate several of their top selling products. Seasoning giantMcCormick has named Chef Judson Todd Allen one of their 125 Global Flavor Experts, along with joining McCormick’s creative board of taste innovators, with the National Restaurant Association’s Kids Live Well Program.

Supporting his mission, the Food Network Alum, continues to inspire others with his knowledge and enthusiasm for food. He provides culinary information as a food contributor for television programs like “The Steve Harvey Show” and FOX 32 Chicago. Chef Judson holds the distinction as a under 40 Game Changer sponsored by Ariel Investments. His knowledge of flavor pairing, global inspired recipes and food sensory analysis has made the pages of many national publications, like Black Enterprise, Essence, LA Times and Huffington Post to name a few. He is a highly requested motivational and keynote on international platforms.

In 2013, Chef Judson introduced his signature All Purpose and All Natural CHEF BLEND Hot Sauce. This tasty low-sodium product offers a “Less Hot More Flavor” taste. With a mission to eradicate childhood obesity, in 2015 Chef Judson launched CHEF BLEND Weekend, an annual event designed to celebrate the inspiration of flavor through healthier, locally sourced foods and the chefs/purveyors behind the art. Adding ‘Author’ under his belt, Chef Judson will launch his greatly anticipated book “The Spice Diet” in beginning of 2017. With an MBA in Entrepreneurship from DePaul University’s Graduate School of Business, Chef Judson is a current Advisory Board Member of the DePaul University School of Hospitality.