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
PUBLISHED JAN 18, 2021
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.

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