KaTom cooking classes

A Summer Vegetable Supper by Barbara Tenney at KaTom: August, 23,2017

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Vegetables are in abundance now so it was the perfect time for a vegetable supper cooking demonstration by culinary expert Barbara Tenney at KaTom Chef Supplies. I am a BT groupie and knew that it would be good so I hurried up highway 66 to make it to the 6:00 class. It did not disappoint! 

Menu

Cucumber and Onion Salad

Sour Cream Cornbread

Southern Green Beans

Fresh Tomato Pie

Blackberry Peach Cobbler


Laura Dickerson introduces Barbara Tenney to class participants. Barbara is an award winning recipe creator, caterer, cook, culinary teacher, and, often, a cooking presenter for WBIR. With all that experience, Barbara has stories to tell and cooking tips for the novice or the expert. I like the stories the best! 


The first course was a cucumber and onion salad that was both refreshing and cool. Certainly, this dish would be perfect for picnics and cookouts too. 


Charlotte Tatum enjoyed the evening with her mother, Nancy Hayes. I always enjoy seeing them here!


The tomato pie was a crowd pleaser. Not really like pizza, but the pie shares many of the same ingredients. 


Sherry and Samantha Moore are also from Sevier County. They, also, have attended other classes at KaTom and look forward to the events. I recognized them from the David Pinckney cooking demo a few months ago. They work at Catlettsburg and Boyd’s Creek schools in our county. 


You have had green beans and new potatoes before, but I assure you that these may be the best ever! So tender. 


Pam Parker and Jani Chollman are from Strawberry Plains, just a couple of exits up the interstate. They, also, have attended classes before at KaTom and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere while learning something new. They are high school teachers and enjoy learning news things, like cooking delicious dishes. 


Barbara prepared the blackberry cobbler and instructed us to be careful about not placing the dough too close together. In the meantime, she also told a funny story about a couple try to make chicken and dumplings…but ended up with a 5 pound dumpling. 


Time to bake and a few minutes to shop. We walked around the store and look for good things to bring home.  There is always something for sale. Also, you can sign up for email alerts for upcoming cooking classes. 


Can you say cornbread with Cruze Farm butter milk? And sour cream? Divine! 


Voila! Dinner is served. 

Blackberry peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Amazing!

Barbara talks with my table mates. Pictured left to right: Nancy Frolio, Milford Blair, Shirley Blair, Barbara Tenney, and Geraldine Jinks. I love to see Shirley and was delighted to find out that I was assigned to her table. Nancy, from Dandridge, spends part of the year in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. That is a summer haunt for my friends and I. How fun to hear that Page’s Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant is a favorite for Nancy, Shirley, and my group of beach friends. 


I found my Christmas wish list items! 

What a great evening with nice foodie friends and one of my favorite culinary rock stars in East Tennessee, Barbara Tenney. Follow KaTom on Facebook and look at the ‘events’ category to see upcoming cooking demos. They are a favorite way to get out and about in Sevierville. 

Barbara Tenney Presents Three Cool Summer Salads at KaTom: July 12, 2017

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Barbara Tenney’s ‘Perfect Summertime Salads’ menu was just in time for the hotter temps   in mid-July. A crowd of 28 people gathered to see the preparation, try the dishes, and take home the recipes. I was so happy to see an old friend there. Come with me as I take you through our evening at KaTom.

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I was so happy to see our friends, Shirley and Milford Blair, pictured right. We worked together for years so it was a great pleasure to see her at the event. Shirley told me that it was her first time at a KaTom demonstration and that she had learned about them from this blog. How happy that made me! Pictured left are Shirley and Milford’s friends, Sue and Harold Ownby. They had the best seats in the house!

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I was delighted to sit with my friends pictured from left to right: Harriet Berrier, Sarah Berrier, Debby Smolnyki, Rose Anders, and Cindy Anders. We are becoming regulars.

The Menu

Ripe Peach and Grilled Corn Salad

Asian Chicken Salad

Shrimp Salad

Burst o’Lemon Muffins

Vanilla Ice Cream

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The secret ingredient to the Burst o’Lemon Muffins is a cup of lemon yogurt. They were divine.

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Barbara at work in the KaTom kitchen. Catch more of her classes at Butler and Bailey in Knoxville and cooking segments on WBIR TV. I have followed her for over 20 years. What a great lady and talented cook/teacher.

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This salad is great for a crowd and requires no cooking. I would NOT have thought about combining peaches and avocado, serano peppers and onion…but why not? It was my favorite dish of the evening. Fabulous!

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Voila!

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The Asian salad blended well with the lemon muffin.

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Barbara prefers Hellmans mayo to any other.

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Shrimp salad is a cool entree for hot summer days.

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Homemade vanilla ice cream was made with a special attachment for KitchenAid machines.

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See how it attaches to the machine. Let it run for 30 minutes, then freeze for 14 hours. You can find these at KaTom Chef Supplies store.

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These ladies came from Knoxville for the event. Mimi and Brenda attended the last session  with Chef David Pinckney, Executive Chef from Cherokee Country Club. Teresa, pictured right, said that this was her first cooking demo. They enjoyed it as much as we did.

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I always meet some new people from Morristown and they often have a link to my sister Suzanne. Today was no exception. Janet Johnson is pictured left. Dene Masengill-Jones, pictured right, was my sister Suzanne’s riding instructor in high school when she was learning to jump horses. Dene still owns and runs Walnut Grove Riding Stables. What a small world!

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Always get your picture with the chef at the end of a good meal. Barbara and I holding a peach, an ingredient in my favorite salad. Some of you may notice that we look like we are on the RHOA. (Wink if you know that reference.)

There are more cooking events to come at KaTom. Follow them on Facebook. Here is a link to their events page.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/KaTomRestaurantSupply/events/?ref=page_internal

See more pictures on my Facebook page for blog pictures. Here is a link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1254469567899261/

If you like, follow me on Instagram. I am smokymountainfoodie .

KaTom cooking demos are one of my favorite ways to get out and about in Sevierville. Save a place at the table for me!

Cherokee Country Club Executive Chef David Pinckney Returns to KaTom With the Best Menu Yet

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Always a crowd pleaser, Cherokee Country Club Executive Chef David Pinckney brought it again to the KaTom cooking demonstration Monday evening. His relaxed manner and elegant recipes make for an effortless, gourmet evening. Here is what we experienced during the cooking lesson on Monday, June 26th.

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The first reason that people sign up for this class is chef name recognition. The second thing may be where he works, Cherokee Country Club, because we imagine the food is so good there! The third reason is the menu planned for the evening—and it didn’t disappoint. (Oops…I forgot to get a picture of just the chef so I’ll use the one above.)

The Menu

Gala apple salad with English Claret cheddar, mixed baby greens, apple cider vinaigrette, toasted walnuts and Benton’s 2 year country ham

Boursin chicken with herbed panko bread crumbs

Yukon gold potatoes and mushroom stock sauce

Chocolate Ganache with pecan crust and salted caramel sauce

 

Executive Chef David Pinckney leads the kitchen at Cherokee Country Club after working 25 years at the Orangery. (He started there in high school.) With that kind of professional pedigree, you can bet that he is one of the best chefs in East Tenneessee. When he comes to KaTom, always make sure you reserve a spot!

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This time, I made some new friends at my table. Pictured right is Faye Andrews. I have met her several times and enjoy her perspectives on cooking, restuarants, and travel. She is a delight at these events. New friends, Vickie (pictured left) and Dan Lynch are from Morristown—and, coincedentally, live almost across the street from my sister Suzanne. They also enjoy these events. This is the second time that I have seen them so it was fun to meet them and share their table. Vickie’s sister, Janet Benett, sat beside me. She drove from Greeneville for the event and was a very nice table companion.

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Benton’s two year country ham is ready for the salads.

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These attendees are from Knoxville, Dandridge, and from out of state. They had great seats!

Preparations for the chocolate ganache.

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I was so happy to see my colleague, Nancy Hayes (pictured left), and her daughter, Charlotte Tatum.

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We had a great view from our table as well. Sound and screen technology are excellent so you see and hear everything with no problem.

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There was a moment of excitement when the brandy was ignited. It made quite the impression!

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Mushroom stock sauce.

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More colleagues from Catlettsburg, Sevierville, and Pigeon Forge Primary Schools. Pictured are Denise Barnes, Sami Moore, Sherry Moore, and Rebecca Smock. It was their first demonstration at KaTom and they enjoyed it thoroughly.

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This is an effective way to make salad dressing. I am going to try to make the apple cider vinaigrette tomorrow with my Cuisinart.

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Preparing salads for service.

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The Gala apple salad with English Claret cheddar, mixed baby greens, apple cider vinaigrette, toasted walnuts and Benton’s 2 year country ham. The perfect summer salad.

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Boursin chicken with herbed panko bread crumbs served on top of Yukon gold potatoes and mushroom stock sauce. Divine!

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Preparing the chocolate ganache for service. These were, by far, the largest blackberries that I have ever seen. They came from North Carolina.

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You can probably tell by looking at the picture how rich, satisfying, and decadent this dessert was in each bite. One could never have a better dessert than this chocolate ganache with pecan crust and salted caramel sauce. We could have stopped with two bites…but no one did. It was one of the best desserts that I have ever had at a KaTom cooking event. We applauded the chef.

I enjoy the presentations by David Pinckney for several reasons. First, no matter what preconceived notions you may have about him because of where he works, Pinckney is very friendly and approachable. He is happy to answer any questions and stopped several times so I could take a picture. The executive chef is very comfortable in the kitchen and doesn’t worry if everything is perfect. He works in a ‘flow’ and it is relaxed, laid back, and well timed. Finally, his selections for KaTom demonstrations are rather elegant, but anyone who has some cooking experience could attempt these recipes. It is a nice combination of things and we hope that he returns soon.

If you are interested in KaTom cooking events then look them up on their Facebook page and click under the ‘events’ category. Here is a link. https://www.facebook.com/KaTomRestaurantSupply/

Or, just call them (865) 225-1559.

It is an enjoyable way to get out and about in Sevierville. Save me a seat at the table!

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Barbara Tenney and Randall Jolley Cooking Demonstration at KaTom

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I have been so busy that I am just now finding time to write this story about the cooking class by Barbara Tenney, my culinary hero. She was joined in the KaTom kitchen by Randall Jolley for a meal to remember. Look at what we enjoyed that evening.

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Randall Jolley’s expertise is clearly strong in the grilling department. He showed us how to use one of KaTom’s best outdoor grills. I was amazed that it only uses charcoal; yet, Randall can get the temperature within 5 degrees of where he needs it.

I had never seen a Primo grill and was quite impressed.

Even better, this grill is made in America.

Voila!

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Not sure how I missed getting a picture of the Twice Baked Potato Casserole, but it was unbelievably good.

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The Settlers Beans were actually a complete meal. I’ll make this recipe in the coming weeks.

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We enjoy watching the action from the overhead screen. You won’t miss a thing.

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That was really a lot of food! I was glad that my friend brought 2 to-go boxes.

The piece-de-resistance was the banana pudding. Divine!

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The crowd was mainly from Morristown and Dandridge that evening. As it turns out, Randall Jolley is from Mo’town himself. And his wife, Lisa. In a ‘it is a small world’ moment, I met Lisa Jolley at the end of the event. Turns out that she was my younger sister Diane’s best friend in high school. Currently, the Jolley’s live in the same neighborhood as my other sister, Suzanne. It is certainly a small world at KaTom classes!

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Randall and Lisa Jolley after dinner.

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Always get a picture with your hero!

Barbara is busy cooking in Knoxville at the Butler and Bailey market and does cooking segments on WBIR TV. She caters and does more things than I can list here. When she comes back to KaTom Chef Supplies for a cooking demo in the future then don’t miss it. It will be the best thing about your week. It is one of my favorite ways to get out and about in Sevierville. 

Chef Frank Downs From the Buckhorn Inn Astounds Us at KaTom: A Very Special Menu!

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I have heard many people tell of staying, and dining, at the Buckhorn Inn in Gatlinburg and know it must be grand. On Tuesday evening, the fine dining at the Buckhorn Inn was on display in the KaTom demonstration kitchen. What a nice evening with some great people from the Sevierville and Morristown areas. Here is what we experienced.

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I quickly found my place with some good people that I know and work with at SPS.

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I love to sit with these ladies. All love to cook, learn new techniques, and enjoy fine cuisine.

Featured from left to right, Fay Andrews, Teresa Lee, Donna Jones, Harriet Berrier, and Sarah Berrier. What a fun table! I always learn something new from these ladies.

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Enjoying the time before the demonstration are Debbie Smolnyki, Rose Anders, and Cindy Anders.

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Excited to try the menu are Teresa Lee, Karen McNabb, Sharon Huskey, Harriet Berrier, and Donna Jones.

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The pamphlet from the Buckhorn Inn revealed to me that room prices are affordable. In fact, I was shocked to see how much better the room rates are than a room in Nashville, for example. Take advantage of this some day! Here is a link to the inn website. http://www.buckhorninn.com

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Appetizers were a fancy ‘pigs in a blanket.’ It was Andouille sausage, roasted jalapeño and Manchego cheese in pastry. Spicy and delightful. The mustard sauce, pictured at the top of the plate, was divine:  Dijon mustard and heavy cream. You could just eat it by itself.

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Pepper steak and Frisee parfait. You can serve it in martini glasses for panache!

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Voila! Shrimp and chorizo over Three Cheese Grits. Too good to be believed.

FullSizeRender-22Bernie Croquette potato with horse radish sauce. The crust is a blend of Panko bread crumbs and almonds.

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The presentation of the croquette potatoes. I, in fact, have never had a croquette and must have another soon. The sprig of rosemary in the top makes it look like a pear. Wonderful!

We were excited to see a dessert—and that it was chocolate. A Double Diablo Chocolate Ganache cake was awaited with great excitement.

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Out of the oven to cool. Chef Downs showed us how to invert it, thus showing a smooth and beautiful top. What you see here goes on the bottom…as if we cared!

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The decoration technique was fun to watch. Don’t stare at this picture more than a few seconds or the design will seem to move on its own. I think that it is just the light in the photo that causes that effect.

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Raspberry sauce and strawberries to garnish the cake. Unbelievable!

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The final product—a dream on a plate!  The cake was incredibly moist and probably the best that I have ever had. Bravo! We all stood and applauded the meal and expertise of Chef Frank Downs. I can’t wait to go to the Inn some day for dinner. It gets our highest recommendation!

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We enjoyed the evening and got a final picture with Chef Frank Downs before our departures. Karen McNabb, Chef Downs, ‘yours truly’, and Teresa Lee.

Go to the KaTom website or Facebook page to see upcoming events. Here is a link that will take you directly to their event /cooking demonstration bookings. https://www.facebook.com/pg/KaTomRestaurantSupply/events/?ref=page_internal

It is one of our favorite things to do when out and about in Sevierville. Save me a seat at the table!

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Cooking with Barbara Tenney at KaTom

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Renowned East Tennessee cook, Barbara Tenney, presented a menu at KaTom Wednesday evening. I have seen at least 10 of her presentations so I couldn’t wait to see her at KaTom. Here is how our cooking event went at KaTom.


It is fun to walk in and find your place at a table. I had a great seat.


Tables were set in a simple, elegant display. You get a copy of each recipe too.

A friend, Sophia Connerly, joined me for this presentation. Also at our table were a mother and daughter from Morristown, a professor from U.T., and a personal chef/ chef from the Lonesome Dove restaurant in Knoxville.


Notice the home- made treats from Barbara at each place setting. Cookies and a sweet mix. Divine!


The menu featured chicken and dumplings and pot roast with a Barbara Tenney flair!


I am one of her devoted fans. Barbara Tenney, the legend, is pictured on the right. Love her style too.


Get there early so you can shop!


Every seat has a great view.


Chicken breasts cooked to perfection. Broth to cook the dumplings.


Dumplings measured to perfection by a scoop.

Par excellence!


It was wonderfull!


View from the overhead screen.

And the pot roast extraordinaire. I took leftovers for lunch the next day.

We can’t wait to see Barbara Tenney again out and about in Sevierville.

See more pictures on my blog Facebook page.