Jack Scalfani
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| “ | I'm just a regular guy. | ” |
| Jack, lying. | ||
| Jack Russell Scalfani | |
|---|---|
 Jack posing in 2022. | |
| Born | December 12, 1967
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| Residence | 2006 Highland Drive, Greenbrier TN |
| Aliases | jakatak DJ Jack Attack |
| Spouse | Karen Welch Todd (ex) Tammy Scalfani (1998-current) |
| Children | Garrett Scalfani (1990) Jack Scalfani II (2000) |
| Parents | Connie Scalfani† Unknown biological father Otis Blair (stepdad) |
Jack Russell Scalfani (born December 12, 1967) is an American YouTube food creator and reviewer, failed DJ and producer, ex sauce entrepreneur and a five-time stroke survivor.
Embarking on a cooking journey with limited skill and knowledge, Jack's excessive overconfidence in the kitchen and food reviewing has resulted in serious health problems and a blatant disregard for the culinary arts. Jack peaked in the mid-2000s, at a time when he was among the few YouTube chefs with a cooking show, capitalizing on the platform's novelty. However, his refusal to innovate and his insistence on clinging to his past fame have not aged well, especially as newer YouTube chefs have surged in popularity, amassing subscribers in the millions. His stubborn pursuit of fame on YouTube, clinging to the mid-2000s style of YouTube expertise and editing, has placed him in an unrealistic rivalry with renowned chefs such as Chef John, Sam the Cooking Guy, Babish, and others. This approach has led to a significant decline in viewer interest, underscoring his diminishing relevance in a community that appreciates expertise and innovation.
Jack's cooking attempts have mostly shown a lack of basic kitchen skills, emphasizing quantity and a love for meat and cheese over quality. This disregard for culinary excellence has made it difficult for him to appreciate the complex flavors that gourmet food offers, often settling for simple taste tests or unsophisticated food ratings. Jack's cooking style also leans heavily on processed and ready-made ingredients, which shows a significant disconnection from the true art of cooking, preferring ease over skill. His infamous barbecue sauce, which relies on artificial additives, is a clear sign of his average approach, distancing him further from the cooking community.
At the heart of Jack's public persona is a noticeable indifference to improving his cooking, using his platform mainly for profit rather than a real love for food. This attitude, along with his refusal to accept constructive criticism, often labeling it as "hate," highlights his denial of the truth. Despite his efforts to appear as a promoter of "Food, Fun, and Family", Jack's real nature becomes apparent when faced with criticism, showing a personality marked by defensiveness and hostility.
Early life and education
Jack was born in New York in 12 December 1967, being the third and final child of Connie Scalfani. Jack's biological father left early in his life due to unspecified reasons, so Jack was raised by his stepdad Otis. The Scalfani family was poor and relied on food stamps to get by.[1]
Jack attended John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma, California, while having computer lessons at Cypress College on the side.[1]
Career
DJing and radio work
Immediately upon finishing high school, Jack took up DJing at nightclubs for seven years.
GiveMeEntertainment
In 2001, Jack started a production company called GiveMeEntertainent, providing voiceover work and other assistance. The company was the distributor of the 2011 film Solitary by Greg Derochie, which also happened to be co-written by Jack's brother Charles. As of 2024, the company appears to be no longer active.
The Best Sauces
Main article: The Best Sauces
Jack owned a line of sauces and seasoning called "The Best Sauces You'll Ever Taste". The company dissolved around 2021.
YouTube work
In 2007, Jack uploaded a three-part cooking tip series on YouTube, showing how to cut a pineapple, cut an onion without crying, and peel an egg. The following year, he began uploading more tips and product reviews, using the videos as a way to shill his line of sauces, birthing the Cooking with Jack Show.
Personal life
Jack currently lives at 2006 Highland Drive with Tammy, right next to 103 Thomas Court where Junior and Brianna live.
Jack is a registered Republican.
Controversies
Child abuse
On an episode of the now-defunct Christian podcast "Sunday Evening Coffee", Jack disclosed that he had abused his elder son, Garrett, due to Garrett's marijuana use. Jack alleged that Garrett began using marijuana while interning at a computer store in Huntington Beach, California. According to Jack, Garrett's marijuana consumption led to severe anger management issues and frequent verbal attacks on his stepmother, Tammy. Jack accused Garrett of physically confronting both him and Tammy on two separate occasions. He described the first incident, saying he subdued Garrett by forcibly taking him to the ground. In a subsequent altercation, when Garrett allegedly pushed Tammy against a door, Jack recounted how he tackled Garrett to the ground again, threatening his life by forcefully choking him and screaming into his ear. Jack claimed the choking was so intense that it caused Garrett's nose to bleed.[2]
Food safety
On a now-deleted 2016 Cooking with Jack video, Jack had a guest named Kevin showcase an unsafe canning method, which could result in botulism.
Endorsement of a murderer
Jack, a performative Christian, follows Maury Davis, an evangelist and ex-pastor at Cornerstone Church. He once supported a book authored by Davis that discusses his arrest for the murder (and decapitation) of Jo Ella Liles, a 54-year-old Sunday School teacher, in 1975.[3] Jack and his family still attend Cornerstone Church to this day.