But success did not come easy for Ferguson.
Born in Philadelphia, Ferguson grew up in Columbus, Ohio after his single mom relocated them to seek a better life. She married when Ferguson was in the fifth grade, and he recalls having a loving childhood and enjoying cooking as a teenager. He moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 2005 to study culinary arts at Sullivan College, but struggled on his own.
“I could only afford night school and worked a day job at the Dairy Queen. It made me feel disconnected from the other students,“ he said. ”I needed money very badly, so I started selling drugs. You know, someone once told me, ‘When you leave the nest, whatever you become is your fault.’”
Drug dealing landed Ferguson in and out of jail. At one point he was broke, living in his car, and facing an uncertain future. He sought a path forward through his church, Southeast Christian in Kentucky. He credits pastor Chad Mosteller for helping him refocus on what he loved doing most: cooking. Ferguson vowed, “I am never going backward again. I was lost, and my faith in God helped lead me back to find my purpose.”
Courtesy of SuperChefs
The restaurant was destroyed in a fire months after opening, but his local heroes—the Louisville food community—helped him rebuild. His faith kept him together emotionally. “The difference between where I was and where God wanted me [to be] was based on my ability to patiently suffer,” he said.
Ferguson’s story from incarceration to cooking sensation caught the attention of celebrity chefs and television producers. He competed on Guy Fieri’s “Tournament of Champions” and other Food Network shows, picking up prize money and fame. More TV appearances kept coming—and still do.
He considers Fieri one of his superheroes. “Guy was one of the first people on a major level to see the star potential I have. I had to prove it to him. Whenever I have a decision to make, I call him first. He’s given me so much advice ... He always encourages me to keep going.”
Ferguson acknowledges he could have remained a victim of the system had it not been for fate, faith, and guidance from others. He sees his past as a lesson to help build a better future for others, especially at-risk youths. He’s active in supporting the non-profits Blessings in a Backpack and Children Shouldn’t Hunger, both of which help provide nourishing meals for children, and goes out of his way to hire staff who have been down on their luck.
