Grocery Life November 9, 2015

Grocery Life November 9, 2015

By Tom Butler 

Good afternoon from Butler & Bailey Market. I hope everyone had a good weekend. We have been busy here at the store gearing up for the holidays plus all the special events leading up to the holidays. Our holiday open house is going to be on Saturday, November 21^st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. That next Thursday, the 26th is Thanksgiving Day, and then on December 5th at 6 p.m., the second annual Rocky Hill Christmas parade will be rolling down Northshore Drive. I hope you already have all of these events marked on your calendar.
 

I have been working on one other event which I am very excited to tell you about. This Saturday, November 14th from 10 a.m. until noon, Allen Benton, the owner of world famous Benton’s Country Ham And Bacon and Chef Joseph Lenn, former chef of Blackberry Farm, will be here doing a cooking demonstration although it will probably be more story telling while they cook a little.
 

I am sure all of you “foodies” out there are already very familiar with these two guys and know how significant their contributions have been to the culinary world. For those of you that are not familiar with them, both of these guys have won the James Beard award for culinary excellence which is probably the most distinguished award you can receive in their profession. Both of these guys are also in high demand all over the country.
     

Joseph travels extensively doing cooking demonstrations at the finest restaurants and food festivals in the country. Allen’s products have become a staple on the menus of many of those same places. They both have been and continue to be written up in many of the national food magazines, (including this blog). I could go on and on about their accomplishments but I would rather you hear them first hand when they are here at the store this Saturday.

In my mind, I think their greatest accomplishment is the fact that even though they both have the opportunity to capitalize on their fame and reputation on the national scene, they have both decided there is more value in being a part of the communities where they got their start. Allen continues to operate out of his old smokehouse in Greenback and Joseph, with his upcoming restaurant in downtown Knoxville.

It will be well worth your time to come by and visit with them Saturday. I imagine Allen will be cooking his country ham with red-eye gravy and telling stories about how he got started in his business. Joseph will be preparing some dishes using Benton’s products
and providing the recipes so you can make them at home. He will also be glad to tell you about his upcoming restaurant.
   

So come by Saturday and try out some great food, hear some great stories, and enjoy the fact that two more people from our community have achieved national fame in their fields but would rather share their talents with you and me.
   

Have a great week and see you Saturday!

Thanks for letting us be a part of your community,

Tom Butler

Respond to:tom.butler44@gmail.com

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 Butler and Bailey Market

7513 Northshore Dr.

Knoxville, TN 37919

(865)691-8881