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Jon Gosselin Explains His New Job at TGI Fridays: I ‘Give My Paycheck to Charity’

Jon Gosselin
Jon Gosselin attends the 2nd annual "Night of a Billion Reality Stars" bash at SupperClub Los Angeles on March 29, 2012 in L.A. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

What’s cookin’? Jon Gosselin opened up to Us Weekly about working at TGI Fridays in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, explaining that he took the job because he has a passion for cooking and charity.

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrity Charity

"I work at TGI Fridays eight hours a week and give my paycheck to charity,” he told Us Weekly of his new gig as a prep cook, which was first reported by TMZ on Wednesday, June 20. "I love cooking, what’s wrong with that? I’ve been working there about a month, so not long.”

The former reality TV personality, 39, who now mainly works as a DJ, explained that the job is just for fun and is not about earning extra income. "I don’t need the money. … DJ-ing is still my real job,” he said, adding that his career spinning tracks is “going amazing.”

Related: PHOTOS: Famous Family Feuds

The former Jon & Kate Plus 8 star said he got the position because the general manager, Scott Trompeter, is a close friend and approached him about the opening. Gosselin had already DJ’ed at different TGI Fridays in the area for events such as Tap Takeovers and Bartender’s Champion bartending competitions.

“It was just a hobby,” Gosselin said of why he got started at the family-friendly chain. “I don’t like sitting around.”

Trompeter praised Gosselin for his charitable work at the eatery. “Jon’s part of our Friday family here,” he told Us. “He does a great job for me. He comes in and works and does the prep and he donates his paycheck every week.”

The dad of 15-year-old twins Mady and Cara, and 12-year-old sextuplets Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah and Joel, said that although the kids have eaten at the restaurant before, they haven’t stopped in since he started working there. “I don’t want to mix that,” Gosselin said. “I’m trying to make their lives as normal as possible.”

Related: PHOTOS: Kate Gosselin's Life After Reality TV

Back in January, the Couples Therapy alum revealed during an episode of the Steve Harvey Show that he hasn’t seen all of his children, whom he shares with ex-wife Kate Gosselin, together in years. “Most of the time, I get four,” he told Harvey. “Whoever comes down the driveway, that’s who I get.”

The DJ hasn't seen his son Collin in around two years now. “I don’t know why. I can’t talk to him. I have no communication," he told Steve Harvey of the situation. 

Jon and Kate divorced in 2009 after a decade of marriage. Kate and the kids still star on TLC’s Kate Plus 8

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