From Pitbull’s Manager to Miami’s Mac & Cheese Mogul: Derrick Turton’s Next-Level Culinary Empire
After over a decade managing hip-hop royalty like Pitbull, A$AP Rocky, and Yo Gotti, Derrick Turton—aka “Chef Teach”—has transformed his passion for cooking into a booming culinary brand that’s redefining comfort food in 2025. What started as a food truck sensation in Miami has now blossomed into multiple brick-and-mortar locations and a nationwide presence, powered by savvy use of AI-driven marketing, automation, and the creator economy.
Chef Teach’s signature World Famous House of Mac, known for its inventive Caribbean-inspired mac & cheese dishes—think jerk salmon pasta, lobster mac, and buttermilk fried chicken with pumpkin spice waffles—continues to captivate food lovers and celebrities alike. With over 50K Instagram followers and a robust online ordering system enhanced by AI personalization tools, the brand has expanded well beyond its South Beach roots.
Since opening its flagship restaurant at 1216 Washington Ave in Miami Beach, the eatery’s vibe blends rustic wood, leather banquettes, and vintage-industrial design, creating a speakeasy-like atmosphere that perfectly complements its chef-driven comfort food. The menu now includes pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan options, catering to the evolving tastes of a health-conscious, diverse clientele.
Turton’s pivot from music to food was deeply personal—after his father’s passing in 2013, he sought to build a legacy of his own. Early encouragement from rap legend Bun B pushed him to take his culinary talents seriously, turning backyard barbecues into a full-fledged business. His experience managing artists taught him critical thinking and adaptability, skills he leveraged to navigate the challenges of the pandemic by launching nationwide mac & cheese delivery with at-home baking kits and partnering with first responders.
In 2025, Chef Teach is embracing the creator economy by collaborating with food influencers and leveraging AI-powered content creation to keep his brand fresh and engaging. Automation in kitchen operations and supply chain management has improved efficiency, allowing the House of Mac to scale without sacrificing quality.
Celebrity fans remain loyal, with names like Rick Ross, Serena Williams, and the A$AP Mob regularly endorsing the brand. The House of Mac is not just a restaurant—it’s a cultural hub where music, food, and technology intersect, embodying Turton’s unique journey from the studio to the stove.
Kevin "KevRoss" Ross is a music and radio industry expert. He is a 20 -plus year entrepreneur with the leading most successful industry trade publication and site Radio Facts (www.radiofacts.com). He has also published various books, magazines, performed marketing and promotions for major corporations and recording artists and he is on the advisory board of several industry organizations. This year Ross introduced his non profit organization LOMARI (Leaders of the Music and Recording Industry) to help teach young minority students how to market and manage their music and products.
