Jesse McCartney sat down with Parade magazine recently and talked about the Jonas Brothers, how much he loves cooking, and his favorite charities.

Jesse is good friends with Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas, and he commends them on being so open about who they are. He said, “I never wore a promise ring like them. It’s a big step for them to be open about their virginity. I’ve seen them take a lot of heat. But I respect them, if that’s what they want to do. It’s cool.”

And what kind of girlfriend is Jesse looking to find? He said, “She’ll have to be someone who likes to eat my cooking. Or, at least, she’ll have to pretend.” Why cooking you ask? Turns out Jesse LOVES too cook! He said, “All I watch is the Food Network. I took a cheesemaking class a few weeks ago, and I told my family and friends to only get me kitchen stuff on my birthday. I’m into every kind of cookbook and anything by Anthony Bourdain. I’d love to own a restaurant if I could find the right chef.” Why can’t Jesse be the chef??? We’d eat a restaurant he cooked at!

And about giving back to charities, Jesse thanks his mom for that: “She’s [my mom] a cool chick… [I] grew up in a Christian household. We went to church every Sunday. I do think it’s my duty to give back. That’s why I’m involved with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Bono is my inspiration—not only as a rock star but as a humanitarian. We aren’t just put on this earth to sell records. Maybe it’s because of my upbringing, but I do consider myself a moral guy.”

We are so excited that we get to hear more of Jesse on the big screen this December in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, what about you?

Quotes Via Parade Magazine and Image Via Flickr