MACON, Ga. — When Sergeant DeAndre Hall finishes investigating violent crimes in Bibb County, he trades his badge for a spatula and a chef’s vest that reads “King of the Kitchen.”
By day, Hall serves with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. By night, he’s a self-taught cook whose step-by-step recipes have drawn millions of views on TikTok, earning him more than 68,000 followers, . One of his videos alone — a cinnamon swirl bread tutorial — attracted over 2 million views.
“It’s how I decompress from work,” Hall told WMAZ. “Dealing with the cases we handle every day, cooking just gives me a break. It’s refreshing.”
Hall now leads a monthly “Cooking and Counseling” class with Macon Mental Health Matters, where participants gather not only to cook, but to talk. The sessions offer a therapeutic outlet, blending honest conversations with shared meals, according to WMAZ. Each class, capped at 12 students, is held the second Tuesday of every month and is currently booked through September.
@deandrehall ‼️Homemade Cinnamon Swirl‼️#desert #cinnamon #cinnamonroll #icing #food #foodporn #tiktokfood #toktokfoodie #fyp #tiktok ♬ Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
“I wanted other people to get the same feeling I get when I cook — just having fun, relaxing, and connecting with others,” Hall said.
His rise in the culinary space began after friends encouraged him to post more than just photos of his dishes.
“People kept saying, ‘Man, you should start recording!’ I didn’t know how to edit or anything, but one day I just gave it a shot — and the video took off,” Hall said.
Though he has no formal culinary training, Hall’s content ranges from classic soul food to comfort dishes, and includes practical tips and personal anecdotes.
While his cooking videos have gained national attention, Hall remains committed to his role as an investigator, balancing what he calls “sweet rolls and serious roles” with focus and humility.
