Aaron McCargo Jr.

Aaron McCargo Jr. competed on and emerged as the winner of season four of "The Next Food Network Star" in 2008, securing his own Food Network show. "Big Daddy's House" premiered on August 3, 2008, and topped the charts as the number one "In the Kitchen" weekend show during its initial six-episode run.

Following the success of the first season, the Food Network renewed "Big Daddy's House" for five more seasons. Aaron's charisma and culinary expertise have also led him to guest appearances on popular TV shows such as "The Today Show," "The Talk," "Steve Harvey," "Good Morning America," "Dr. Oz," "Queen Latifah Show," and Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and "Guy’s Grocery Games."

"Big Daddy's House" centers around Aaron's passion for big, bold flavors and family-oriented cooking. From comfort foods to barbecue favorites to breakfast delights, Aaron showcases a range of mouth-watering recipes, elevating simple dishes with bold flavors. Besides his stint on television, Aaron also served as a regular expert on Spike TV’s "Bar Rescue" and the spin-off show "Back to the Bar."

Always an entrepreneur at heart, Aaron has developed his own line of culinary products, including a spice and sauce line named The Sauce/The Spice, which encapsulates his love for big, bold flavors. Additionally, Aaron is the author of a cookbook titled "Simply Done, Well Done." His recent video recipes, including "Scampi Wings," "Best Blackened Tilapia with Blue Cheese Crab Sauce," and "Carbonara Pasta with Cajun Chicken," further emphasize his commitment to creating memorable culinary experiences.

Born and raised in Camden, N.J., Aaron is also a passionate community advocate. He founded Play To Win, a mentoring program aimed at providing services to at-risk male youth ages 14–24. He regularly speaks to youth at community schools and events, inspiring them to succeed despite the odds. In recognition of his success and service, Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison presented Aaron with the keys to the city in 2008 and designated September 25 as Aaron McCargo, Jr. Day.

In his personal life, Aaron is a family man with a large and supportive family. He enjoys Bible study, tennis, buffalo wings, watching sports, and traveling in his spare time. Married with three children, Aaron and his family currently reside in New Jersey.