Daily Inspiration: Meet Johnnie Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnnie Smith.

Hi Johnnie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Chef Johnnie Smith, after graduating from Le Cordon Bleu 18 years ago, has been an executive chef that has traveled the country cooking for some very exclusive clients including a host of well known Rappers, Athletes and some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.

After so many parties and holiday gift baskets for friends featuring his spices, Chef Johnnie listened to his friends’ feedback and decided to finally put together his own signature seasonings…He called them Flavor Crank. And so it begins…

Chef Johnnie lived in Sweden for five years and learned all types of European cuisines before returning back to the U.S. to resume his work as a private chef specializing in American Bistro and Gastro-pub type meals. Having worked in restaurants all over California, Chef Johnnie now has his own catering company called Flavor Crank and has worked parties of up to 400 people. Chef Johnnie Smith’s first cookbook, Crank Up The Flavor, is set to be published in early June of 2026 and this will launch the video and social media brand of Flavor Crank worldwide.

Chef Johnnie’s favorite things to cook are Soul food, Moroccan and Indian along American Bistro using his Flavor Crank seasonings in dishes whenever he cooks personally or professionally.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road when it comes to making the money needed to survive and live my passion. However, when I decided to embrace what I always fought against, becoming a full time chef, things began to change. Coming from a successful dance and choreography background, I wanted to move into filmmaking after dance. It was going to be film school or culinary school and the latter ended up coming first. I guess it was meant to be at the time.

After culinary school a few opportunities came about. I took them all and decided to learn as much as I could about the culinary world. After living and working in Sweden as a chef and then moving back to Los Angeles in 2017 I worked for three different catering companies and honed my skills even more. However, I still struggled to make ends meet and still being broke and needing to step up my game, I decided to take a chance and open up my own private chef and catering business. I have not looked back. Life is good and I have finally embraced my gift for pleasing people with my food.

With the cookbook and the re-branding of my company, Flavor Crank, I plan to reach new heights by the end of the year.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I became a personal/private chef back in 2025 when I realized the companies I worked for were all jobs and not necessarily a career. When I decided to move out and start my own business, I was finally able to afford more things and ended up being a bit happier with the things in my life. Although it was a struggle for the first months, I finally found my groove and began cooking the way I’ve always wanted…without someone over my back watching me. Even though it was a good learning experience, I needed to break away, which gave me the opportunity thrive on my own two feet. I took the risk and began really cooking my food.

My favorite things have always been braising meats and slow cooking most foods using the ‘low and slow” method. This is where the flavors have a chance to be coaxed out of and back into the food. However, a little extra patience and care is needed for that special flavor explosion on the tongue.

I am known for my personality and presentation. Remember , ‘you eat with your eyes”. Having the flavors of different spices, sauces, marinades, fresh herbs and various cooking techniques take you to someplace else…that is the ultimate goal for me. To be able to transport someone to a specific region in the world through my food,..I cannot ask for anything more.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles is an amazing place for artists to live. You can find everything here and be proud to tell any and every one that you are from here. The food is amazing, the people are amazing and the sports teams are amazing. I’ve always called this place one with an energy that I cannot describe. I even love the traffic on the 405 at 3:30 in the afternoon. It reminds me of where I am and makes me proud to be here.

Sometimes at night I will go outside, look into the sky and stare at the moon reminiscing about how and why I moved here. I am always grateful to this place. I am grateful for everything that has happened in my life. Taking a risk to move here panned out. This is why I continue to take risks and do the hard things every day.

Nothing I do not like about California.

Pricing:

• $850 services begin at this price.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flavorcrank.com and www.chefjohnnie.com
• Instagram: @flavorcrank
• Youtube: Flavor Crank

Image Credits
self images