DeShawn Barnett, Executive Chef and Club Manager

Deshawn Barnett came from humble beginnings in Oakland, California. He later moved to Vallejo, California before relocating to Jackson, Mississippi. In Oakland as a child, he woke up early every Saturday and watched "Yan can cook", Julia Child, and Justin Wilson. Bypassing all the usual Saturday morning routines of a child, he would strengthen his culinary vision.

He was raised by a working single mother who held several jobs. One of these was as a cook and caterer. He watched as she juggled catering jobs and took interest in the food she prepared. He spent a lot of time at his great grandmother’s house. She prepared almost everything from scratch. His great Grandmother was a cook in Germany and around the United States while she traveled with his Great Grandfather who was in the army. DeShawn’s father was in the hospitality industry, as well. He owned a diner and was an avid cook. Chef DeShawn also has two uncles that are professional chefs.

Chef started his professional career at Marine World U.S.A. when he was 15 years old. He worked in several restaurants in Northern California before coming to Mississippi when he was 26. As a working single parent, he trained in several restaurants before realizing his dream of becoming a chef.

DeShawn has been a chef at the Jackson Marriott, The King Edward Hotel, and Copeland’s Restaurant, as well as a school nutrition chef in Pearl and Ridgeland, Mississippi. He is excited to express his culinary vision at the Capital Club. His vision includes a passion for southern ingredients infused with cooking techniques from other cultures. Chef and his staff will be executing a restaurant and banquet menu inspired by seasonal ingredients and motivated by our guests needs. You can contact DeShawn via email at deshawn@capitalclubms.com or call him at 601-969-7101.