Note: Originally published as “’I found my voice as a Mormon’: Chedda Burger chef shares testimony of joining LDS Church” on August 30, 2016, by Kelsey Schwab Adams, For the Deseret News.
Note: This article contains the phrases “LDS” and “Mormon,” both of which are nicknames for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“The only time I had prayed was if I was getting pulled over or arrested. I was like, ‘What do I pray about?’ I remember praying and just saying that I was sorry. There was a long list of things I needed to say sorry for. I remember praying and all of a sudden I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t move, I could only laugh — that’s it. I felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness and I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness. This is it. This is what I’m supposed to be doing.’”
“When you’re ready to fix the bad things, (God)’s going to be there. That’s what I’ve learned through all of this.”
Krispy Kreme doughnuts may not be a typical burger topping. And Chedda Burger chef and founder Nick Watts may not be your typical Mormon. But, as it turns out, Krispy Kreme doughnuts are a hit atop a Chedda Burger, and Watts loves being a Mormon.
Watts started cooking years ago when his parents had addiction and substance abuse problems, leaving him with the responsibility to provide for his brother and himself.
“(Cooking) became second-nature to me. It was the one thing I was subpar at doing, so I just got jobs cooking in restaurants and worked my way up through the ranks,” the Arizona native said. “One day, I was tired of cooking other people’s food, so I opened up my first food truck.”
Featured Image: Chef Nick Watts, founder of Chedda Burger, said cooking has become second nature to him. Courtesy of Nick Watts
Sunshine in the Soul 