Focus welcomes our new food+beverage columnist, Chef Jay Kill. He will be answering your most burning questions. Before Chef Jay begins, we thought it would be nice for our readers to learn about him.

Do you remember when you realized you were gay? I knew I was attracted to males when I was very young. As for knowing the “gay” part, that was not until my freshman year in college. One of my humanities classes had a guest speaker, a gay man. I was very impressed that he was a professional in the agricultural industry. I did not think it was even possible to love a man and own/work on a farm. This was in 1985. He put his phone number on the chalkboard and extended an offer to join a weekly support group for anyone who was interested. I sat for 30 minutes repeating that phone number in my head so none of my classmates would see me write it down. Later in the week, I called that number twice, but hung up both times when he answered. I was so scared.

Who did you come out to first? I really was never in the closest. I had boyfriends, friends with benefits, and a person that I did not know I was “in love with” until he moved away for college. As for putting a label on myself, it was not until I moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1986 to continue my education. There I met a guy my age named Scott who introduced me to the gay community via bars. After that, I never looked backed, I am proud to say. Scott and I are still friends today.

I told my parents in 1988 at 3am in the morning. My college female friend rode with me for 2 hours from Columbus to the family farm. I just had to get it off my chest. It was killing me inside. My parents up out of bed and sat them at the dinner table. After sharing who I was, I finished the conversation with, I will never “flaunt it or throw it in your face, BUT, if you have questions and just want to know how I am doing, I will always answer honestly.” This was the best thing I could ever say. Over a very short time they started asking me who I was dating, and since it was the late 80s and early 90s, questions about AIDS.

How did it affect professional relationships, family relationships, personal relationships? (If at all) I felt that I could not be a farmer and be an open gay man. I attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. This allowed me be close enough to family for visiting while allowing me to “find myself.” I found food service a “safe and accepting” industry for which I could use my work ethic and personality. This was the beginning of my professional career. I promised myself that I would not let my sexuality control my future, that I would have a “normal” life, never flaunting or hiding it. I have always been proud of myself. Trust me, it has been hard but no one has the right to say I am a bad person due to the fact I love a man.

If you could go back to your younger self, what’s one piece of advice future you would give? Wow, this is a hard question. Hell, I would love to have advice now since I will be 51 in July. I worry more about the future than my past. I had a great gay life. Being gay did not stop me. I got to do everything I ever dreamed.

Tell us one piece of advice you would give someone who wants to come out but is afraid to?  Coming out is a personal experience. Do it when you feel you need to, but do not let it define you. I see many people who are not true to themselves and miss out a lot on experiences. Good or bad, live life to the fullest.

To get your day started right, what’s the first thing you do in the morning that is a MUST DO?

My health is very important to me, even though you might not think that when you see my big belly. I start my day thinking about food, what to eat and drink. I know this is weird but true. If I do not start planning my day with good choices, I will end up eating bad choices. This was a hard habit to get into, but now as I get older it has been a blessing. Other ways I start my morning right is to take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, such as my gardens and now my new bird feeder. I still have farmer in my soul.

On a day off, what do you do? SLEEP! Working in my gardens. Enjoy showing my husband Nashville and American culture.

What do you do on a rainy day? SLEEP!  lol. I love going to the movies, cooking or baking.

Chef Jay Kill on the future

What do you see for the future of our state? Our Country? For over 17 years, I have lived in Nashville, Tennessee. I never thought this would be a city where I would have deep roots. The current state of our economy and equal rights within Nashville is great for me and my career. I can be myself here and not be judged to the point I am being suppressed or overlooked for opportunities.

As for the State of Tennessee and the country, we live in some confusing times. Every day I read that there are great things happening for ALL the people of Tennessee and then, SMACK, someone or some group is working hard to suppress humans that do not fit into their comfort zone. Back in the day, gays moved to San Francisco or another large city to find a community that was accepting and loving. Today, gay marriage is legal and you can live most anywhere. My wonderful husband, who is from Mexico, and I have been together for over a year now. We are both learning how to have a healthy marriage in the straight and gay community. We never thought we could be this happy. Even Mexico recognizes our marriage now and working on legal status for me in Mexico. FYI, I LOVE LATIN FOODS.