By JOHN EBY
Dowagiac Daily News

It’s no wonder Aaron “Big Daddy” McCargo Jr. would like to have a soup line someday. The former sous chef graduated from Camden High School in 1989, that New Jersey city being home to Campbell’s.

“I always loved soup as a kid,” he says.

For its first foray into the “foodies” phenomenon and the culinary arts Thursday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m., at Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center, Dogwood Fine Arts Festival selected someone born in 1971 and is still in his 20s.

“I call it an art because it’s just like music” in that it takes passion and creativity. McCargo, who drums, compares cooking with an artist like Madonna. “She can come out with different tunes. She keeps coming back and we’re still surprised,” he told the Daily News Tuesday afternoon.

Food Network debuted in 1993. McCargo called celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, 50, a “pioneer” to the personalities who populate the kitchens. “We’re like athletes now” in terms of recognizability. The rise of the Internet helped, with Web sites existing to help make “tools” available.

LIke Dogwood authors, at that level they all seem to move in the same circles and know each other.

“A lot of people think it’s a rivalry,” McCargo said, “but we love food and we’re all unique.”

As for the comfort food Big Daddy craves, that’s easy.

“Buffalo wings,” he says without hesitation. “Crispy, good sauce, it doesn’t matter who makes them. With Blue Mountains (Coors Light), I’m a happy pig in with a whole bunch of chicks.”

He cooks at home and, it goes without saying, “I love to eat. A gift from God that I love doing what I do. Food is therapy” even after doing it professionally all day. “A lot of people walk in the kitchen and feel intimidated if they do not cook. I’m hands on, I can take their stress away.”

McCargo, who has two sons,  Joshua and Justin, and a daughter, Jordan, will be conducting a student master class at DMS on Friday, May 7.

A lot has happened to McCargo in the two years since he won season four of The Next Food Network Star in 2008, beating out 3,990 culinary hopefuls for the ultimate dream job – his own Food Network show.

“It’s really amazing,” he says, exuberance evident in his voice. “I enjoyed a steady chef’s job catering and going home to the family and entertaining family and friends.”

His wife, Kimberly, saw the opportunity and encouraged him to try out.

“I wasn’t jumping through hoops,” he said, but by the same token, “I trust in God and believe in myself,” and three months later there he was, one of 10 finalists.

McCargo has been cooking his whole life, but what in his background prepared him to be a national television star? In addition to that exuberance, “I was taught from way back, stick with what you know. I have my own style. Big portions. Big flavor. I’m no French culinary, but I know flavor. I still do what I know. Aces in their places. I’m in my place.”

McCargo is like the Niles restaurant Pete’s Patio in that he prefers not to be famous for anything more particular than bold flavor.

“I have no major focus,” he said, such as Rachael Ray’s niche with “30-Minute Meals. “I leave myself wide open. Every part of the meal should offer something different” – even breakfast, where he might stuff French toast or lather pancakes in peanut butter.

Pork chops can be “stuffed with flavor from the inside out” and flavored with rubs and seasonings.

“I call myelf a free-range chicken,” he laughed heartily.

Part of his approach to portions was necessitated by holding his own in a big family.

“Me being very hungry,” McCargo said. “I always wanted more than everyone else. If there were 12 chicken legs, his dad got four, his mom two, leaving one for each of the offspring.

Both of his parents encouraged and influenced his cooking. Aaron Sr. was known for turning 20 pounds of potatoes “into home fries 20 ways.”

McCargo didn’t make it to his 20-year high school reunion last year, but he feels like he’s having the last laugh over all the grief he took as a young black male who wanted to be a chef.

Big Daddy’s House premiered Aug. 3, 2008, and ranked as the number one “In the Kitchen” weekend show during its initial six-episode run.

Food Network renewed the show for a second season, which premiered Jan. 4, 2009, and for a third season, which premiered July 12, 2009.

On Big Daddy’s House, now in its fifth season, Aaron shares his passion for big, bold flavors and fun, family cooking with an exuberance which comes right out of the phone during a half-hour chat.

From comfort foods to barbecue favorites to breakfast delights, Aaron whips up mouth-watering recipes inspired by many years of culinary experience and his fun-loving family while bringing a down-to-earth vibe and warm smile to the kitchen.

Whether cooking with his children, relatives, friends, or even by himself, big food and big fun reign supreme.

A family man who adores all things flavorful, Aaron’s passion for cooking was sparked at age 4 when he started baking cakes in his sister’s Easy Bake Oven.

An entrepreneur at heart, Aaron began making and selling cakes and cookies to childhood friends.

McCargo is the second of six children and the oldest of the four boys. One of his brothers is a barber, but he’s the only chef.

At age 13, Aaron was as a junior volunteer in the kitchen at Cooper Hospital University. He since worked in nine New Jersey restaurants including casual and fine dining.

From 2003 to 2005, Aaron operated his own place in Camden called McCargo’s Restaurant not far from the federal courthouse and Rutgers University. He expects to be back in the restaurant business yet this year.

Most recently, Aaron served as the executive VIP catering chef at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He attended Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts.

Aaron has been featured on numerous national news programs including The Today Show, Regis and Kelly and Rachael Ray.

His rapid rise to fame has been chronicled everywhere from The New York Times to Essence magazine.

He contributes to Essence, where readers will find his innovative ideas about how to get the family into the kitchen. Look for his delicious summer grilling recipes in the June and July issues this summer. Furthermore, as spokesperson for the Great American Dine Out, Aaron is working closely with Share Our Strength to help nearly 12.6 million American children in their fight against hunger.

The Great American Dine afforded Aaron an opportunity to see his recipes featured on menus of participating restaurants around the country.

McCargo regularly speaks to youth at community schools and events illustrating that they, too, can succeed despite the odds.

Honoring him for his success and service, Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison presented Aaron with the keys to the city in 2008 and designated Sept. 25 as Aaron McCargo Jr. Day.
Aaron also enjoys Bible study, tennis, watching sports and traveling.

McCargo tries to “keep it real,” he said. “The main thing I like to do, whether with novices or professionals is to have fun. My mind is already in a party atmosphere, so I have to bring you into my mind and let it roll from there. I could cook all vegetarian, but if the audience is carnivores … I build the menu around the crowd. I’m not going to make Rice Krispies treats for an older audience, but scones with hot toddies. Or, I might make funky macaroni and cheese. I shoot from the hip. I’m a different kind of guy, but I’m the same everywhere I go, and hope people accept me for who I am.”

Of course, there is no Dogwood precedence for the culinary arts, so he will be setting the bar.

He also hosts the new special “Outrageous Food,” featuring a five-pound breakfast called The Thing and The Terrible Garbage Burger.

Down the road, “I want to go out like Merv Griffin,” he muses, by which he means a food game show.