Jarod “Tubby” Smith

Brand and Kitchen Manager for Toast

Working in Toast kitchens for a total of 2 1/2 years, Jarod is an exceptionally enthusiastic brand manager and in talking to him, it becomes clear that’s because he loves his brand. “I love working for CHG and in food and beverage because I like the feeling of never knowing what the next day will bring. I started in F & B when I was 15 and now I’m 27 and I wouldn’t change a thing,” says Smith. “We have 11 restaurants and 4 or 5 different brands. It’s an amazing amount of diversity. On any given day I could be working on something at Toast, then get called into Eli’s Kitchen and maybe even work a catering event. You really have to work for your money and I like that.”

Born in CA, Smith moved to Charleston as a very young child, and has called Charleston home ever since. Though he attended The Culinary Institute of Charleston for a year, he became impatient for hands on kitchen knowledge. “I understand the need for certification, but really needed to get in there and get cooking.  When I’m training people myself, I always say that formal training is great, but there is nothing like being in the kitchen, actually doing it.”

As far as his favorite foods, Jarod (affectionately nicknamed “Tubby” by CHG CEO Sam Mustafa), he loves Cajun, Creole, spicy, sushi, Asian. I like not just eating the food, but seeing the show, seeing the chefs in action. Not surprisingly, when he’s not working (which he jokes is almost never), he enjoys cars, entertainment, gambling, new places, new things – on the go kind of affairs. And, he loves Charleston. “It’s the only place I really knew growing up. I’ve traveled to FL, WY, CA, New Orleans, all over. But, it’s the people here that always bring me back. Charlestonian’s are very generous in character.”