Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Lori Rogers.
Hi Chef Lori, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Absolutely! I’m an accountant by trade but the kitchen is where my heart is. I affectionately call it the “Love Lab–” and that’s where it all started. It’s where I blend my Southern Alabama roots with my Northern California upbringing—a fusion my husband dubbed “Calibama.” That phrase stuck and in 2019, I published my first cookbook entitled “Calibama Cooking: Classic & Contemporary Comfort Food.”
Soon after, the idea for Jam Vino was born while promoting my new book at a cooking demo at Williams-Sonoma. I used my homemade wine-infused jam and guests kept asking how they could purchase the jam! That’s when we knew we were on to something special.
Fast forward a few years and after a lot of hard work and trial and error learning the packaged goods industry, we managed to connect with great partners in co-packing and distribution and built a team that’s helped us to launch a great product and create a new category: wine-infused jam. It has surpassed our wildest dreams. Our very first retailer to sign on turned out to be the largest retailer in the world– Walmart. Earlier this year, Jam Vino was featured on GMA3, highlighting African American entrepreneurs, and for Mother’s Day, Jam Vino was selected by Whoopi Goldberg as one of her “Favorite Things” on “The View,” both brought incredible exposure. As we speak, we’re in the process of getting Jam Vino on the shelves at over 270 Walmart stores in Texas and Oklahoma. We’re incredibly grateful and very excited for what’s to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? Oh, goodness, no. But that’s part of the journey and it’s how we grow as entrepreneurs.
The food manufacturing industry was completely new to me! But I’m grateful I was not in it alone. My husband Shane is a brilliant businessman and together we powered through. There were definitely moments where I felt overwhelmed.
Also with Jam Vino, we weren’t just creating a product—we were carving out a whole new category. Wine-infused jam didn’t exist in mainstream retail, so we had to help buyers see the vision– and they saw it once they tasted it.
But in terms of struggles, gosh… we’ve had to navigate production delays, packaging revisions, transportation hiccups, and even tariffs. I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights. But it’s worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Chef Lorious Group, LLC?
Chef Lorious Group, LLC is the parent company for my brands, and it is a lifestyle brand and it’s a lifestyle brand that brings together everything I love—food, family, and flavor through gourmet food products, recipes, stories, and meaningful experiences.
As I previously mentioned, the kitchen is my “love lab’ and food is one of my love languages–whether its collaborating with other Chefs on my YouTube channel, preparing Texas-inspired recipes on my monthly “Taste Texas” segment on Good Morning, Texas, or cooking for family and friends– for me it’s about sharing a heritage, a culture, and a philosophy of food that nourishes both the body and the soul.
I poured my heart and soul into my cookbook, “Calibama Cooking” and I’m very proud of it. And Jam Vino–well, it’s definitely what I’m becoming known for. I’m incredibly proud of how Jam Vino represents the perfect fusion of my Southern heritage and California upbringing—what I call Calibama. Growing up in a family where jam-making was a tradition, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for creating something from scratch. My California roots–which emphasize quality ingredients and a love for wine, brought a unique twist to this Southern tradition. Jam Vino is the personification of Calibama—a reflection of both cultures in a jar.
I tell people all the time that once you taste Jam Vino, you’ll love it. And there hasn’t been an instance where that’s not the case. Jam Vino was invited to participate in the Pre-Oscars Gifting Lounge in Beverly Hills and the response was overwhelming. In fact, that’s where Whoopi Goldberg first met us and tasted the jam. Jam Vino is truly an experience. Our motto is “Everyday luxury for everyday people,” and that’s exactly what the jam is.
When it comes to what sets Jam Vino apart, well, each jar is a combination of 100% fruit and the rich flavor profile of fine wine (with the alcohol is cooked off) so it’s kid-friendly. It’s also all-natural with only 5 ingredients. It’s gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and with only 30 calories and 6 grams of sugar, it’s a very wholesome gourmet jam. There’s no other like it.
We launched the line with three signature flavors that include:
Blackberry Merlot: A velvety fusion of plump, sun-ripened blackberries and the rich, full-bodied flavor of Merlot. This flavor is ideal for pairing with charcuterie or enhancing recipes with a gourmet twist.
Raspberry Moscato: A refreshing, floral blend of Moscato wine and fresh raspberries delivers a light and fruity taste that adds a surprising burst of flavor to both sweet and savory dishes.
Strueberry Blanc: The perfect marriage of strawberries, blueberries, and Sauvignon Blanc, this flavor balances natural sweetness and light acidity. It’s an elegant option for everything from dessert toppings to spreads.
Each flavor is available individually or in a three-pack on our website at www.JamVino.com.
Knowing that people can now experience a taste of my heritage, whether through Jam Vino or Calibama Cooking, truly fills me with pride. It’s about more than just food for me; it’s about sharing a piece of who I am and where I come from, and that, to me, is the biggest accomplishment.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk is part of the recipe. I’m not someone who seeks out risk just for the thrill of it—but I do believe that if you’re building something meaningful, at some point you will need to step out in faith and you will have to do hard things.
When we decided to turn Jam Vino from a homemade family recipe into a full-fledged brand in the marketplace, that was a massive risk. I was stepping into food manufacturing, retail logistics, compliance, branding—it was a whole new world.
There were moments when I questioned myself, and I was way out of my comfort zone. But that’s the thing about risk—it demands clarity. For me, risk is not about recklessness. It’s about purpose. It’s about listening to the nudge in your spirit that says, “This might just work.” And then being willing to move, even if your voice shakes or your knees tremble when you step out on the water. I’ve learned that the most beautiful moments in life often come as a result of stepping out of my comfort zone—and daring to try something different.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jamvino.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheflorious
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tryjamvino
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalibamaCookingwithChefLorious
- Other: https://cheflorious.com/
Image Credits
For the image of Whoopi holding Jam Vino, the image credit is [Wil Roberts] The others are courtesy of Chef Lorious Group, LLC
