Who is JJ Hurt? Meet the 'Worst Cooks in America' contestant who mixed up 'mise en place' with 'menopause'

A two-time cancer survivor, JJ has been entertaining everyone with his jokes and disastrous cooking on the show. Here's all you need to know about the man from Atlanta
JJ Hurt from 'Worst Cooks in America' (Food Network)
JJ Hurt from 'Worst Cooks in America' (Food Network)

Two-time cancer survivor JJ Hurt is bringing in a lot of cheer on the screen when he appears on the current season of 'Worst Cooks in America'. All of the contestants this season are extremely witty but JJ is a whole new level of funny especially when it comes to his mentor Anne Burrell, the toughest taskmaster in the kitchen.

Speaking about how bad he was to Fox 5 Atlanta at the beginning of the competition, JJ said that it was something that he couldn't put down in words. He just knew how to boil water when he started out but said that he now has the skills that help him as he cooks every day. 

JJ did not intend to go on the show, just like his co-contestant Ayesha Dwyer. His ex was the one who signed him up for the show and JJ said it was a great idea because he ate out a lot while growing up. JJ loves his mom and her cooking, he had said in the first episode of the show even stating that he turns to her whenever he feels like he needs a wholesome healthy plate.

He said he grew up eating the food his mom cooked but as he got older, he started to eat outside a lot, most of which was unhealthy food. JJ said that 'Worst Cooks' helped to show him how to cook as well as keep a track of what he was putting inside his body. 

JJ Hurt from 'Worst Cooks in America' (Food Network)

JJ was born in Atlanta and continues to stay there. He's a graduate of North Clayton School and he works full time in tech support and currently, he's vying for the $25,000 that the winner gets to bag as well as earn bragging rights for their mentor. One of the funniest lines he's said in the kitchen on the very first episode is "I am going to start my menopause" but what he truly meant was "mise en place".

Another gem from him on the recent episode was when he said that he feels Burrell is about to rush to his table, peel off all her skin, reveal her exoskeleton and unleash full-on Terminator mode on him. Keep tuning in to the show to watch JJ deliver more of his one-liners and to find out if he leaves the show with the grand prize. 

'Worst Cooks in America' airs on Sundays at 8 pm ET on Food Network.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Tulsa King’ takes viewers beyond its namesake city as Dwight Manfredi’s empire grows across seasons. Here's a look at the real-life locations.
2026-10-15T16:02:35.000Z
Hal’s final move at the G7 raises questions about his loyalties as Kate confronts Grace, but keeps the viewers waiting for more.
2026-10-15T15:39:21.000Z
Season 6 of ‘Abbott Elementary’ premiered on October 7, and new guest stars are set to appear in upcoming episodes
2026-10-15T09:31:47.000Z
Linda Cardellini's ‘Crystal Lake’ Episode 1 pays tribute to a real snake killed during ‘Friday the 13th’ filming
2026-10-15T07:17:19.000Z
The adult animated series follows a celebrity escape artist who is pulled back into a war between Apokolips and New Genesis
2026-10-15T07:03:30.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ Season 15 Episode 2 puts Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide's marriage to the test after the latter's promotion
2026-10-15T05:26:51.000Z
‘VisionQuest’ introduces a young pickpocket from London whose past traces back to Westview and ties into ‘Agatha All Along’
2026-10-15T05:12:19.000Z
‘Chicago P.D.’ loses another original cast member as LaRoyce Hawkins bids farewell to Kevin Atwater — here’s how the show handled his exit
2026-10-15T04:06:16.000Z
Firehouse 51 prepares to say goodbye to a fan-favorite character after a warehouse fire left him with a career-ending injury
2026-10-15T04:01:59.000Z
Tatiana Maslany leads ‘MPG,’ a show about a newly divorced mother whose search for answers pulls her into a dangerous world of crime.
2026-10-15T03:22:43.000Z