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Jackson native makes good in NYC
Just ask Jackson native Bert James who dreamed of becoming an actor and is fulfilling that dream in New York City. After leaving Jackson, James moved to Atlanta and eventually ended up in New York, where, like many want-to-be actors, he began working in the restaurant business to pay the bills. All the while he continued to diligently pursue an acting career and eventually appeared on several television shows, including episodes of "Hope and Faith" and "Law and Order." Little did James know, but his work in the food service industry would be the key to his lifelong dream. "I ended up online cooking and ran into someone who conducted food tours," he said. "She thought I would make a good tour guide and hired me." That woman was Carmen Botez, who, along with The Chocolate Zoom Team produces a magazine and conducts New York Chocolate Tours. This career turn led James to become a tour guide for "New York Chocolate Tours," which includes a "New Cuisine Chocolate Tour" and the "Luxury Chocolate Tour."
James said he cannot imagine a more enjoyable job. "It's not really like a job, because people are having fun," he added. "And they get to eat chocolate." It costs $70 to take a tour, which may sound expensive, but those participating get to sample some of the finest chocolates from around the world. According to one review published in The New York Times, "the tour is kept at a leisurely pace and contains a huge amount of information and wonderful chocolate." The chocolate adventure begins at Saks Fifth Avenue and continues to five shops, each one with its own history and featuring two samples of its unique chocolates. James' role as tour guide is to present how chocolate is made and how the different chocolatiers developed and created their own styles depending on where the beans are produced. A number of reviews of the tour give him credit for being very personable, as well as knowledgeable of his subject matter.
Most recently he decided to partner with his current boss in a new venture, a chocolate and wine tour. He's also appearing in an Internet T.V. show called "Like Mother Always Says." Filmed on the set of the Today Show, it will feature offbeat recipes and will be available for viewing on a new Internet site which will be a merger between www.devour.tv and www.uncookedtv.com. "The two companies are currently trying to decide what to call the new site," said James. "Right now, to get an idea of what the show will be like you can visit www.devour.tv." He went on to explain that the show, which is designed for a select audience, will combine cooking with comedy.. "I never thought I would get into cooking as much as I have," he said. "This really has turned out be be a very enjoyable career." James said his busiest time of year is approaching. "The holidays are insane," he said. "About 42 million tourists visit New York during this time, so you can imagine what it is like." According to James, the culture shock of moving to a larger city has worn off, especially since he has lived there nearly 10 years. "It's more of a shock now when I go back home to visit," he laughed. "But, I do enjoy doing that."
James is the son of Belinda and Derrill Larrimore and the late Johnny James. For more information about the tours he conducts visit the Web site: www.sweetwalks.com.
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