Month: August 2016

KaTom Cooking Class with Chef Jeffrey DeAlejandro from Olibea Restaurant in Knoxville

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It was a nice mid-week break to attend the cooking class at KaTom, featuring Chef Jeffrey DeAlejandro from Olibea Restaurant. I was delighted to walk into the store to see that we would get to sit at the counter near the stove rather than tables, giving us a bird’s eye view of every technique. It was a delightful couple of hours.

First, here is the menu.

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I need to remember that it is important to arrive earlier in order to chat with other attendees. It was fun to see  Sarah and Harriet Berrier, from Sevierville. The ladies to my right were from Talbot, near Morristown. The couple at the end of the table live in South Knoxville. I met them at my first class. She worked in an office for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

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Jeffrey DeAlejandro has been a chef for about 16 years. Here are some facts that impressed me.

1). He helped start the Crown and Goose gastropub in Knoxville, a popular restaurant located in the Old City. In fact, Chef DeAlejandro started the Crown and Goose nine years ago.

2. His mother is Patricia Nash, a designer with a store on South Gay Street. In fact, a lady attending the cooking demo had one of his mom’s purses and held it up for us to see! I forgot to take a picture of it though.

http://patricianashdesigns.com

https://www.facebook.com/patricianashdesigns/?fref=nf

3. He owns Olibea Restaurant, near the Crown and Goose.

https://www.facebook.com/olibeaoldcity/

I have heard of it and have wanted to go there some day. The hours are:

Mon-Fri 7am -1pm
Sat-Sun 8am -2pm

He has children so these hours allow for time with family. By the way, the restaurant is named for his children: Oliver and Beatrice. ( Olibea is pronounced ‘Olly’ ‘Bee’.)

There were some Mexican, Spanish, and British influences in the food—and it was all delightful.

First, Chef DeAlejandro showed us how to make homemade mozzarella and shared a story how he first learned to make it. I was watching the demonstration and heard the phrases “first time, made it on a beach… using ocean water…an old woman showing how to make it…use hot water and don’t overwork it…”

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It was really, really good!

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An overhead view of the heirloom tomatoes.

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The heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, and balsamic pearls. Looks like caviar!

Unbelievably, I forgot to take a picture of the main course. It was very nice because it was on a type of “Mexican English Muffin” with chorizo and veggies. Good!

Creme Brûlée is always a crowd pleaser!

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I have grilled peaches so this was a new idea to add it to creme brûlée. Wonderful dessert!

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Yesterday, our local paper printed an article about a recent honor for KaTom Restaurant Supply, named one of 5,000 fastest growing companies in America by “Inc.” magazine. There were only 14 businesses to make the list in this part of the state. Here is a link.

http://www.inc.com/profile/katom-restaurant-supply

We are lucky to have a place like KaTom that invites well regarded chefs from East Tennessee to bring their expertise to us in Sevier County. All the attendees have really enjoyed these demonstrations. Watch, learn, dine! You definitely get your money’s worth.

FYI…Get ready for October 4th when John Gatlin from the Oliver Royale on Market Square will present a demonstration that will be sure to please. Currently, it is my favorite restaurant on Market Square. Save me a place at the counter!

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Enjoy the weekend and get out and about in Sevierville…

Friday Night Lights —Smoky Bear Style!

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We all look forward to seasonal rituals. A favorite in East Tennessee has to do with Friday Night Lights. It was a beautiful evening to watch our favorite high school football team, the Sevier County High School Smoky Bears!

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Beautiful weather this evening for a football game.

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The airplane flyover is my favorite part.

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Getting ready for the game against Cleveland.

Running through the …what do they run through? I am used to saying “running through the ‘T’ ” for the Vols. This part is exciting too.

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You won’t find a better Smoky Bear fan than Mr. Roach!

 

Wearing of the purple to support the Smoky Bears.

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FBC taping the game.

More hard core Smoky Bear fans!     Patriotic scoreboard.

Touchdown!

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My favorite part is when the lights turn on with the sunset. This may be the best thing about getting out and about in Sevierville.

See a few more pictures on the Out and About in Sevierville Facebook page.

Here is the link.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1254469567899261/

Go Bears!!!

 

 

 

 

A Sevierville Tradition: Lunch at Frank Allen’s Market

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With summer waning, I won’t have many opportunities to go out for lunch during the week so it was time to go to Frank Allen’s Market for —what I hear is— the best burger in town. Because I got ‘off track’ last week, I contacted a friend who could help me get there and tell me all the good things to order. We met for lunch last week and here is what I found…the best burger lunch in town.

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I thought that the grill was within a BP station, but it is actually located in a Marathon station. Not the Marathon station near Walmart, but the one closer to Sevierville and Belk. If you are a tourist or new in town, Frank Allen’s Market  is on the Parkway as you go toward Pigeon Forge. Located on the left side of the road, it is beside the ‘Big Foot’ car attraction. Also, across the street from Kings of Real Estate.

Be careful because TripAdvisor currently shows an incorrect location, at a different Marathon station. Someone has contacted them to see if can be corrected.

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Tad met me in the parking lot and we went inside. Take a left inside the door and you will see the grill area. Oh my! I was struck by several things. First, the cleanliness of the dining and all food prep areas. Second, there is a lot of seating options here. We counted 15 stools at the counter, 8 booths, and at least two tables. We sat at the counter so I could see all the action.

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You order at the counter and pay at the door.

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Frank Allen’s Market, according to Tad, has been in this location for six year. Previously, it was in another location down the Parkway, but moved because it had outgrown the space. I hear that it can get super busy at lunch so we got our space at the counter early.

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Frank Allen has been in business over 63 years. His daughter and son-in-law run the store now. It is a Sevier County tradition!

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I ordered a cheeseburger. It was so good. Everything is fresh. Here are the reasons for the high quality: 1). burgers are patted out each morning and are comprised of ground round, 2). buns are steamed, 3). fries are cooked when you order them so they are always hot, 4). ketchup containers are cool, 5). serve yourself fountain drinks, 6). lettuce on burgers is shredded ( I like that sometimes), 7). they make their own slaw.

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You never know who you will see at Frank Allen’s Market!

You can see locals, visitors, tourists, politicians, and celebrities. Our recently re-elected state Senator Doug Overbay has frequented Frank Allen’s Market. Sometimes politicians’ visits will be announced in advance in the local newspaper.

Dolly Parton likes the slaw dogs and Paula Deen has eaten here. Lawyers and others sometimes send their clients and colleagues to get a burger here. Many people bring their grandchildren here for their first FAM burger. Many pictures are shared on the Facebook fan page, listed at the end of this article.

Tad prefers a classic ‘Grumpy Meal,’ pictured below.

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During lunch, Tad and I discussed politics and local news. Then, we reminisced about jokes and things that we enjoyed when we were young teachers at Sevier County High School. Coaching for the Senior Olympics at S.C.H.S. from freshman teams to seniors, telling a student that they were a surprise performer in the Talent Show, and a couple of silly pranks at Mr. Roach’s Christmas Party at his home.

As it was time to leave, I spied a potential gift for my young nephew near the counter.

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Tourists can find souvenirs too.

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Here are some tips for those who have never visited Frank Allen’s Market.

  • The grill is open from 6:00 a.m. to around 6:00p.m. This info is posted online.
    Address: 930, Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
    Phone: (865) 453-3617
    Hours: 

    Sunday 8AM–8PM
    Monday 6AM–5PM
    Tuesday 6AM–5PM
    Wednesday 6AM–5PM
    Thursday 6AM–5PM
    Friday 6AM–5PM
    Saturday 6AM–5PM
  • Breakfast is served all day. When the biscuits run out then they are gone for the day. They can cook pancakes when the grilled isn’t extremely busy. Ham and biscuits are served in the morning.
  • There is a Facebook page called Fans of Frank Allen’s Market. Click this link to join the fun.  There are over 3,500 fans registered there.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/103675799666187/

My friend Tad is the moderator. He does a great job.

In the words of a customer named Ronnie, who was leaving the counter as we sat down to order, ” You won’t find any better anywhere. Hot dogs are good too.”

In summary, Sevierville offers a lot of burger options, but if you want to get something special then there is one place to go.

Frank Allen’s Market is the best burger place / grill choice when you are out and about in Sevierville. 

P.S. Go to my new blog Facebook page to see more pictures. Go to

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1254469567899261/

for the Facebook page for this blog. I can post a lot more pictures there.

 

 

 

 

Cooking Class at KaTom with a Chef from Blackberry Farm!

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With great pleasure we attended a cooking class at KaTom Chef Supplies presented by a chef from the famous Blackberry Farm. I was really looking forward to this event and it did not disappoint!

Chef Jeff Ross and his wife present the cooking demonstration.

The theme of the lesson: using the bounty of summer gardens.

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I entered the building and was delighted to sit near my Sevierville friends, Harriet and Sarah Berrier. We had great seats at the first table near the cooking station.

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Every seat is a good seat in KaTom due to the overhead TV projecting all the action from the stove and chopping areas. See Chef Ross below talking about summer vegetables. Above, you can see the TV screen projecting all the ingredients for the next dish.

Menu:

Buckwheat Groat Succotash

Tea Smoked Trout

Sauteed Greens with Smoked Onion Jam

Cocoa Bark with Popped Grains

Caramelized Dessert Cheese with Grilled Fruit

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Chef Ross has worked at Blackberry Farm for 11 years. He also has roots in Sevier County because his grandmother lived in the North View area. From her, he learned many things in the kitchen and the garden. For example, you don’t need to cook a lot in the summer. “Let the garden tell you what to cook,” advises Chef Ross.

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Don’t throw away rosemary stems because there is a lot of flavor there.

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Do you have a lot of zucchini in your garden? Then you can appreciate how much chopping it took to fill up that container!

Chef Ross presented many cooking tips and techniques during the demonstration. (Use coconut oil and kosher salt). I also learned tidbits about geography and history in regard to culinary things. (Sunburst trout from North Carolina and sweet potato leaves first used in Africa due to dry conditions and lack of other greens to eat.)

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Who knew that Georgia has the best olive oil? Chef Ross prefers cherry tomatoes. The plate of heirloom tomatoes was so appetizing, we all agreed.

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Leaves from the sweet potato vine are very good cooked liked ordinary greens. Harriet said that she noted a sweet potato taste in them too. They were good! If you can’t find them from a farmer then go to the Sunrise Asian Market at Walker Springs Rd. in Knoxville because they sell large bags of them. Chef Ross also recommends the asian restaurant next door for a meal. Very authentic!

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It was great to see Wendy Atchley at the presentation! She was recently able to enjoy a dinner at Blackberry Farm to celebrate an anniversary. A dream dinner!

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Chef Ross smoked the trout in several ways. The Darjeeling tea used to smoke it gave a nice flavor; in addition, it smelled great when he lifted the lid.

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Chef Ross and his wife loved using the demonstration kitchen in KaTom—a chef’s dream—and were very happy to answer questions, chat about food, Blackberry Farm, etc. I know that they will come back again and again.

The set up at KaTom is very comfortable. You can move around, shop, chat, eat, meet fellow foodies. Other people there were from Sevier County, Knoxville, and Talbot.

Plating the meal!

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They let me take a spoon to try the smoked onion jam that they make themselves. Divine!

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Voila!

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Patricia Bible, owner and CEO of KaTom, enjoying the evening!

 

We were waiting in great expectation for the piece de resistance—cocoa bark with popped grains. (You can use Rice Krispies.)

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A smear of sorghum makes the dessert ‘hyper local.’ My grandparents would have approved!

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Incredible!

Sarah Berrier noted that the torched cheese had a flavor of cheesecake. I noted a ‘brûlée’ taste as well. It was unbelievable.

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Patricia Bible praises the efforts of the chefs and the meal. Bravo!

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Sarah Berrier and Chef Ross trading cooking tips.

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Harriet and Sarah Berrier talking to Chef Ross.

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Wendy Atchley talking to Patricia Bible after the meal.

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I love the nice touches and table settings.

I knew that the evening would exceed my expectations and that was proved true. What a wonderful evening with friends, food, top line culinary tools,  and chefs from a nationally renowned Relais & Châteaux property. Does it get any better?

KaTom is presenting classes that I used to have to drive to Knoxville to attend. What a joy to have these classe so close by now. This is the best kept secret in Sevier County, and in my opinion, one of the best things going here. I already signed up for the next class on Wednesday, August 24th with Jeffrey DeAlejandro, Chef and Owner of OliBea in Knoxville. What a great place to go when you are out and about in Sevierville!

See you at the table!

For more information on events please contact Chef Supplies by KaTom at 865-225-1559. Or contact them via Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/KaTomRestaurantSupply/

 

 

A New Frozen Treat Place in Town!  (It is so good and convenient!)

outandaboutinsevierville4 Comments

It has been hard to find a good frozen yogurt/ frozen treat shop in Sevierville, but one just opened—and it is good! Even more, it is convenient! You can take the ‘back roads’ there too. I went Saturday and this is what I found.


First, the traffic was terrible Saturday about noon, so we will appreciate the location because it is accessible via back roads if the parkway is congested. It will be VERY convenient for myself and my colleagues at S.P.S.  (Uh oh…)


The shop is called BeBops Frozen Delights, located between Catherine’s and JoAnns on Collier Drive. Also, by GNC.


There is a huge parking lot so that will be easy! The photo below is from the BeBops Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/BeBopsFrozenDelights/


The owners are a local Sevierville family. Becky Harsson’s family nickname growing up was’BeBop;’ thus, the store name.

Lee Harsson is a 1991 S.C.H.S. graduate. He played percussion in the S.C.H.S. band. Following this example, the Harssons have a daughter at S.C.H.S. who is also a member of the band color guard. Go Smoky Bears!


Undoubtedly, there should be some crowds here on Friday nights after the games!

A comfortable seating area, inside and outside.

Try a sample!



This store is unique because they sell frozen treats, not necessarily just frozen yogurt. The photo above and below show the variety.


How to differentiate between the treats.

Now for the flavors this week.

 

 

Prices are charged by the cup—not weight. 

Yes, read that sentence again. 

There is no extra charge for toppings. This is hard to believe!


Coffee, water, and other beverages are for sale to complement your treat. (Sheley Rose, take note!)


There are some cute touches in the shop. First, a children’s table with a ‘blackboard top’ and chalk provided so they can draw and write. Love this!


The back hallway to the restrooms has a blackboard wall for patrons to write nice messages. I have seen these in a coffee shop and love the idea. Here are some messages:


Someone needs to write ‘Go Bears!’ And ‘Go Vols!’       Such a fun idea and interesting to read.

This will be a great stop after going to the movies at Govenor’s Crossing Stadium 14. Show BeBops your ticket stub immediately after the movie to see what deals they may offer on frozen treats.

Flavors will probably change after a few weeks so visit often if you find a favorite.

As for me?

The Ice Cream Sandwich flavor was divine. It was ‘over the top’ good so I may have to return with friends some time soon. Who wants to go?


BeBops will be open 7 days a week.

Monday -Thursday 11:00-9:00p.m.

Friday and Saturday 11:00-10:00p.m.

Sunday’s 1:00-9:00. Go after Sunday lunch then wander down to the bookstore to browse?

Finally, Sevierville residents won’t have to drive to Pigeon Forge or Knoxvegas for frozen yogurt/ treats.

This will be the perfect place to go for a special treat when you are out and about in Sevierville!