Chef Jenard Wells Is Bringing Cornbread and Butter to the One Voyage Cruise

October 12, 2026

Chef Jenard Wells is taking his Southern cooking from Georgia to the open water, giving guests aboard the One Voyage Cruise a chance to experience his restaurant without stepping foot on land.

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During an appearance on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Wells revealed that his restaurant, Cornbread and Butter, will have its own dining experience aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady when the cruise sails from Miami October 26 through November 1.

The idea comes after a decade of Wells participating in culinary events and competitions connected to the cruise. He said he wanted to do something different this year, and bringing his restaurant to sea felt like the perfect next step.

Rather than simply offering a few signature dishes, Wells plans to transform one of the ship’s restaurants into Cornbread and Butter at Sea. He will work alongside the ship’s culinary team to serve the food to more than 2,000 guests.

And the menu sounds like a taste of home.

Cruisers can look forward to sweet tea-brined fried chicken, Creole fried catfish, shrimp and grits, mint and rosemary lamb chops, truffle garlic mashed potatoes and oxtails. Wells said he has been working with the ship’s chefs to make sure the dishes reflect the restaurant’s flavors and are prepared properly for the large crowd.

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His personal favorite is Creole barbecue shrimp and grits, a dish he grew up eating and says he could enjoy at any time of day. He even likes eating the shrimp with garlic toast, using the bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Da Brat also praised Wells’ homemade hot sauce during the interview, calling it her favorite and saying she keeps it on order.

For Wells, food is about more than creating a memorable meal. He sees cooking as a way to bring people together and connect across differences.

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That same spirit has helped him build his business in Grayson, Georgia. Cornbread and Butter now employs about 24 people, including some of his children. Wells, who is a father of nine, said he takes pride in creating opportunities for others through the restaurant.

His culinary journey has also included becoming a five-time Denny’s Chop Champion and helping establish the Celebrity Culinary Coalition.

Now, with Cornbread and Butter at Sea, Wells is bringing that experience to a new audience. He also shared another milestone during the interview: his television show, Savor the City, has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy.

Cruise guests can follow Wells on social media at @ChefJenard for more updates on his food and projects.

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Written by: realurbanradio1

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