Full of humility and in love with all things comfort, Franchelle Jackson wants you to feel at home, especially in your kitchen.
Jackson is the founder and creative director behind Fran J Lifestyle, a brand her website says is “inspired by all the comforts of home.”
Jackson’s description fits the bill. Fran J Lifestyle incorporates her love of cooking, crafting, floral designs and home decor.
“[My brand] encompasses everything about family, being around the dinner table together eating delicious food like back in the day,” said Jackson. “It’s all about love. It’s really about everything having to do with food, family and fun.”
Jackson, who sees herself as “Detroit’s Martha Stewart,” spent years cultivating award-winning recipes and eco-friendly designs that have been featured in a variety of publications. Her latest venture is her collection of four signature spice blends created to amplify consumers’ experiences in the kitchen.
Dissatisfied with the store-bought blends she’d been using for years, the foodie and lover of eclectic spices, began the tedious work of creating spice blends that would meet the needs of consumers like herself. Through countless attempts of trial-and-error, Jackson was able to create the following products: Erotic Smoke Blend, Afrodisiac Blend, 3Spice Blow and Lush.
Each blend has its own specific purpose.
Erotic Smoke Blend, can be used to spice up all types of foods and is the site’s #1-selling blend delivering hints of a smoky, hickory flavor. A play on the term aphrodisiac, the Afrodisiac Blend is designed to cater to the consumer’s sensual side with a “delicate balanced blend of spices” selected from various regions across the globe. 3Spice Blow brings the heat to the kitchen while Lush is Jackson’s version of Lemon Pepper.
While Jackson’s spices are designed to take home cooking to another level, they are also meant to help simplify the time spent in the kitchen.
The Fran J website gives a glimpse into her mission:
“I hope to inspire women and men both to not be afraid to return to the kitchen and cook with love as our parents did for us. I’m also hoping to inspire our youth, the new generation of cooking enthusiasts, to learn kitchen skills and to create recipes that intrigue their minds and tempt their taste buds.”
Jackson says that many of the fears she’s heard come from people who simply don’t know where to start.
“For most people, they simply don’t understand the measurements. They don’t know how much to use or what to use it on,” said Jackson. “When you take those factors out of the equation by using the spice blends, you feel more comfortable because I’ve handled that for you.
For readers looking to try their hand at cooking, Jackson says the most important rule is simple: less is more.
“Don’t overuse [the blends] because you can always add more, but you can’t take away,” said Jackson. “I always tell people to start off with one tablespoon, gradually add more as you go, and taste your food as you’re preparing it.”
The spice blends, available for purchase on https://www.franjlifestyle.com, can be used as a seasoning on the easiest or the most complex of dishes. The site also has examples of what dishes work best with a specific spice.
“I’ve had wives say, ‘I want to cook for my husband, but I don’t know how,’” Jackson said. “The spice blends have given them the opportunity to prepare delicious food for their family without having to worry about how much of this should I use? I’ve taken all of that out for them and made it easy for people to feel comfortable in the kitchen again.”
Jackson says she understands the anxiety many have over tackling the culinary process. The chef says she had similar worries when cooking as a child with her mother.
“I grew up afraid of the gas stove because my mom was afraid of a gave stove,” Jackson said. “It wasn’t until my adult life that I began cooking with gas stoves and not electric. I want people to see that the flame is your friend, it’s not anything for you to be afraid of.”
Labeled as “The Spice Queen” by her peers, Jackson has inspired friends and family to start spending more time in the kitchen, a change she says was a welcomed surprise. The Detroit native is looking to expand her community outreach with cooking classes in the future.
“Cooking classes are definitely on the list for 2021,” said Jackson. “Couples cooking classes, girls, dates, and even classes for children because I think it’s very important to teach your kids not to be afraid of the kitchen and its tools.”
Jackson has other works on the horizon as well. Branching off of her fan-favorite spice blends, Jackson is creating marinades and sauces that can be used alongside their namesake. Detroiters can also see her on their televisions in the near future; Jackson is currently working on a Detroit-based cooking show that begins shooting next month.
Readers interested in keeping up with Jackson can follow her on Instagram @franjlifestyle and through her Facebook page Fran J Spice Collection.
About Post Author
