We had the good fortune of connecting with Jada Montemarano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jada, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
This sounds cliché, but hard work and persistence are both important factors to success. Dream Big. Growing up, my goal was to work in television in Los Angeles. I wanted to be the next Ryan Seacrest or Guy Fieri. People told me this wouldn’t happen, but I never gave up. I knocked on every metaphorical door until all options were exhausted. My determination and perseverance paid off, and in 2018 I joined Spectrum News 1 as an MMJ and host of the food segment, “Running on Empty.”

A mentor of mine, Kevin Gershan told me to always be humble, kind, and to put in the work to succeed. He said if people enjoy working with you, your career will go a long way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career has been about taking chances and trying something new. Early on, I wanted to work in entertainment television and report live from the red carpet. Right after graduating college, I took a leap of faith when moving from New York to Los Angeles to pursue my dreams. I freelanced for entertainment news sites to get experience on the red carpet, and later landed a role as the morning trending news anchor at the ABC affiliate in Bakersfield, CA. As a way to get to know the area better, I explored all of the various restaurants Bakersfield had to offer and soon discovered a new passion – food, which led to hosting a food show for 23ABC.

It wasn’t until Spectrum News 1 that my passion really took off with the weekly segment “Running on Empty.” Each week, explore a new restaurant, or dish to learn about different cultures and cuisines in Southern California. I have learned that you cannot be afraid to try something new or take a chance.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you couldn’t tell, I love food. When I travel, the first thing I do is look up where to eat. When people visit me in LA, I will create an itinerary for our restaurant visits. Starting in DTLA, I love exploring the Arts District, specifically the breweries there (Arts District Brewery and Angel City). There’s also Wurstküche for some brats and brews. In-N-Out is a must to try. I love taking guests to Malibu to see the coastline and have some fresh seafood from The Reel Inn. The Kogi truck is also a taco staple in the city. The west side has great beaches, while the fish tacos from restaurant James Beach in Venice lives up to the “I Love You Man” hype!

As far as touristy spots – I’d recommend shopping at The Grove, visiting Santa Monica Blvd. and the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood are fun areas to take a stroll. I’d also recommend seeing the Hollywood Sign (it never gets old). The best way to do this is by hiking in the Hollywood Hills.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not be in the position I am today without my parent’s love, guidance, support, and encouragement. Both my mom and dad have championed me every step of the way, encouraging me to break the norms and forge my own future. I started acting in theater and television/movies at a young age, and they took me to every audition, rehearsal, and performance. The art of performing inspired my career in broadcast journalism, and led me pursue a degree in broadcast journalism. From supporting my childhood dreams to now watching every report and segment, my parents have been my biggest cheerleaders.

Website: jadamontemarano.com

Instagram: @jadamontemarano

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jadamontemarano

Twitter: @jadamontemarano

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.