Rock Harper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rock Harper

Rock Harper at Hell's Kitchen DC Restaurant
Born	Rahman Harper (1976-12-17) December 17, 1976 (age 48) San Diego, California
Cooking style	Soul Food
Education	Johnson & Wales University
Current restaurant(s) Queen Mother's Fried Chicken (Arlington, Virginia) (2020–present) Hill Prince Bar (Washington, DC) (2023–present)
Television show(s) Hell's Kitchen (US)
Award(s) won James Beard Award Nominee 2023
Official website
www.queenmothercooks.com

Rahman "Rock" Harper (born December 17, 1976) is a famous American chef, television personality, and restaurateur. He became well-known after winning the third season of the TV show Hell's Kitchen, hosted by Gordon Ramsay.

About Chef Rock Harper

Early Life and Culinary Training

Rock Harper found his passion for cooking when he was a teenager. He studied cooking at Johnson & Wales University (JWU), where he earned a special degree in culinary arts.

Career Before Hell's Kitchen

Before becoming a TV star, Chef Harper worked in many different kitchens. He cooked at places like Café Calliope, Burke Station Restaurant, and Planet Hollywood. He was also the head chef at B. Smith's Restaurant.

Winning Hell's Kitchen

In 2007, Rock Harper joined the third season of the Fox TV show Hell's Kitchen. He competed against other chefs and won the top prize! His win earned him a high-paying job as the head chef at the Terre Verde Restaurant, located at the Green Valley Ranch Resort.

After his year at Terre Verde, he continued to work as an executive chef at other restaurants, including Ben's Next Door and The Carlyle Club. He also became a cooking teacher at Stratford University.

Sharing Healthy Cooking Tips

In 2010, Chef Harper wrote a book called 44 Things Parents Should Know about Healthy Cooking for Kids. This book helps families learn how to make healthy and tasty meals.

New Restaurant Ventures

In 2020, Chef Harper opened his own restaurant called Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken. He started it in Washington, DC, as a special tribute to his mother, Carole Harper. A year later, the restaurant moved to Arlington, Virginia.

Queen Mother's Fried Chicken is famous for its unique chicken, which is brined (soaked) in duck fat. This special recipe has even been featured on TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen and Sherri. In late 2023, Queen Mother's opened another location in Arlington, Virginia.

In 2023, Chef Harper also became the owner of Hill Prince Bar. This is a local bar and event space in Washington, D.C.

Awards and Recognition

RAMMY Awards

In 2020 and 2021, Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken was nominated for a RAMMY Award. These awards are given by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). They celebrate the best restaurants and food workers in Washington DC. Queen Mother's was nominated for "Hottest New Sandwich Shop."

James Beard Award Nomination

In 2023, Rock Harper was named a semifinalist for a James Beard Award. This is a very important award in the food world! He was nominated in the "Best Chef – Mid Atlantic" category. The James Beard Awards honor talented people in the cooking and food media industries.

Helping Others: Charity Work

Chef Harper also uses his skills to help others. He works with several charity organizations:

• March of Dimes - He is their National Celebrity Chef.
• DC Central Kitchen - He is a board member for this group, which helps feed people in need.
• DC Greens - He serves on their Board of Directors.
• Global Food and Drink Initiative - He is also on their Board of Directors.

Television Appearances

Chef Rock Harper has appeared on many TV shows, especially Hell's Kitchen.