Colorblind Richmond baker competing on Food Network’s ‘Spring Baking Championship’ | Television
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Have you tuned in to see Richmond native and pastry chef Justin Ross compete as a colorblind baker in Food Network’s “Spring Baking Championship”?
The competition is currently airing at 8 p.m. Monday on TV and streaming on discovery+.
“It’s a springtime show, and knowing that, being extra-colorful with the food or desserts that are going to be created was really going to be a hurdle,” Ross says. “This would be one way to really push myself … and hopefully be an inspiration to someone else who may see themselves with some type of disability or thinking they’re at a disadvantage and overcoming that.”
Ross, who runs JC’s Desserts at Hatch Kitchen RVA, says being a colorblind chef is a daily challenge, particularly when making custom jobs where clients request specific colors.
“Of course, we live in 2022, and there’s an app for that,” Ross says, chuckling. “I just snap a photo and the app takes it, and I’m able to actually drag my finger over different parts of the picture and then it’ll tell me what color is what.”
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Of course, when competing on a TV baking show, cellphones and apps are not allowed.
“I was trying to play towards my strength, really trying to hit home with the flavors and hopefully taking that to the next level and hopefully making up for the color blindness in some areas,” Ross, 31, says, noting he was most worried about creating “springtime-cute” desserts given that his confections, particularly his artisan chocolates, offer more of a “grown-up, sexy vibe.”
Ross is one of 12 competitors in the series that is hosted by Molly Yeh and judged by Duff Goldman, Kardea Brown and Nancy Fuller, all Food Network stars. The winner will take home a $25,000 grand prize. More information on the show’s website.
Ross, a 2008 graduate of Varina High School and a 2014 graduate of the Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C., returned to Richmond in 2020 after a stint as pastry sous chef at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
“A lot of what I learned about chocolates was formed while I was at the Greenbrier, where I was able to have a lot of free time and a quiet space to study and practice and form the chocolates I create today,” Ross says. “I’ve picked up so many tips and tricks along the way from being at Norman Love Confections in Florida to my time in North Carolina and at the Greenbrier, so it’s really a mashup or a collage of a bunch of different chefs really putting an imprint [on me] in many different ways.”
JC’s Desserts — taken from his initials, Justin Christopher — opened a year ago. Ross fills orders through his website, https://jcdesserts.com/shop, for pickup, delivery or shipping.
“We definitely want to grow into a brick-and-mortar business and have locations from the Midlothian area to Short Pump to downtown as well,” Ross says, noting a lot of his business comes through his Facebook page, facebook.com/JCDesserts, and Instagram, instagram.com/JC__desserts/, which is how a casting producer found Ross and recruited him for “Spring Baking Championship,” which filmed in summer 2021 in Knoxville, Tenn.
“You go into it thinking it’s you against everybody else,” Ross says. “But after you get there and meet everybody, it really becomes you against yourself.”
David Sedaris, Chelsea Handler, Bon Iver & more big-name performers coming to Richmond this year
Spoon

April 9
Texas rockers Spoon, known for gritty songs such as “The Way We Get By” and “Don’t Let It Get You Down,” stop by The National again on tour for their new release, “Lucifer on the Sofa.” 708 E. Broad St. $27.50. thenationalva.com or (888) 929-7849.
David Sedaris

April 5
Author and humorist David Sedaris visits Dominion Energy Center to read from his new releases “The Best of Me” and “Carnival Snackery.” 7:30 p.m. 600 E. Grace St. $54-$64. etix.com or (800) 514-3849
The Temptations + The Four Tops

April 16
It’s a Motown soul double header with The Temptations, known for their hits “My Girl” and “Just My Imagination,” and The Four Tops, who made it big with “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Ain’t No Woman Like the One I’ve Got.” Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. $58-$88. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
Little Feat

April 19
Longtime rock-and-rollers Little Feat bring their 45th-anniversary tour, “Waiting for Columbus,” to town. Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. $49.50-$75. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
Melvin Seals and JGB with Kendall Street Company

April 29
Get ready for the first big concert on Brown’s Island with longtime member of the Jerry Garcia Band, Melvin Seals, and the Jerry Garcia Band (minus Jerry, of course) with Kendall Street Company. $29.99-$44.99. More information: https://thebroadberry.com.
Lewis Black

May 5
The King of Rant returns to Richmond for his latest “Off the Rails” tour. Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. $39.50-$85. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
The Isley Brothers

May 7
1950s group The Isley Brothers head to the VSU Multi-Purpose Center with The Soul Experience featuring singer Leela James and hosted by comedian MC Lightfoot. Virginia State University, 20809 Second Ave., Petersburg. http://www.vsumpc.com or (804) 524-3300.
Gordon Lightfoot

May 10
The legendary singer-songwriter, guitarist and creator of the folk-pop sound returns to Richmond. Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. $39-$99. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
Bright Eyes

June 2
Indie rockers Bright Eyes perform on Brown’s Island. $10-$75.99. www.thebroadberry.com.
Big Field Day

June 5
Big Field Day is bringing Fitz & the Tantrums and St. Paul and the Broken Bones to After Hours at Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell. https://www.afterhoursconcertseries.com or 800-514-3849.
Chelsea Handler

June 9
The comedian, author and former host of late-night talk TV heads to Richmond on her “Vaccinated and Horny” tour. Oh my. Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. $51.50-$171.50. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
Bon Iver

June 12
Singer-songwriter Justin Vernon’s indie band Bon Iver is headed to Virginia Credit Union Live! Known for its breakout album, “For Emma, Forever Ago,” the band’s been teaming up lately with Taylor Swift for songs on her albums “exile” and “Evermore.” 900 E. Laburnum Ave. $49.50-$99.50. www.vaculive.com or (804) 612-1900.
Art of Noise RVA featuring Method Man & Redman

June 18
Art of Noise RVA featuring Method Man & Redman at Brown’s Island. $30-$75. thebroadberry.com
The Masked Singer

June 23
The Masked Singer National Tour brings favorite characters from the TV show and surprise celebrity guests to Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. $39.75-$99.75. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
Steely Dan

July 15
Legendary rock band Steely Dan heads to town on its rescheduled “Absolutely Normal” tour. Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. $55.50-$176. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
Tedeschi Trucks Band

July 20
The husband-wife duo of guitarist Derek Trucks and singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi bring their 12-piece outfit to Virginia Credit Union Live! Richmond Raceway, 900 E. Laburnum Ave. $22.50-$152.50. www.vaculive.com or (804) 612-1900.
Lucy Dacus

July 29
Richmond’s hometown hero Lucy Dacus returns for a show with Courtney Barnett on Brown’s Island. $10-$39. thebroadberry.com
Incubus with Sublime and Rome

July 30
Crowd favorite Incubus with Sublime and Rome will perform at After Hours at Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell. https://www.afterhoursconcertseries.com or 800-514-3849.
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic

Aug. 10
“Weird Al” returns to Richmond with his parody pop songs and comedian Emo Philips. Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. $39-$99. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
The Head and the Heart

Sept. 17
The Head And The Heart stop by the Altria Theater on their “Every Shade of Blue” tour. 6 N. Laurel St. $39.50-$85. etix.com or (800) 514-3849.
Goo Goo Dolls

Sept. 20
1990s band the Goo Goo Dolls are the first performers announced for the After Hours concert series. More performers will be named in the months ahead. The Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell. $26-$99. www.afterhoursconcertseries.com or (800) 514-3849.
Mt. Joy

Oct. 21
Mt. Joy performs on Brown’s Island. $39.99 and up. thebroadberry.com.
Rob Owen is a former Times-Dispatch staff writer. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Facebook and Twitter as @RobOwenTV.
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