West Knoxville, TN October 2020

O C TO B E R 2 02 0

ALL AN B E NTO N ' S R E C I P E F O R S U CC E S S

FOOD + DRINK C EL EB R AT E S O U T H ERN SPI RI T S AT G R AI NS & G RI T S WELLNESS A P L AC E AT T H E TAB L E F EED S A N EED HOME + DESIGN A SM AL L K I T C H EN G E T A B I G REN O

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

OCTOBER 2020 PUBLISHER

Marc Rochelson | marc.rochelson@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

That World-Class Knoxville Flavor WITH OUR MAGAZINE OUR GOAL IS TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE WORKING HARD TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY STRONG THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND HARD TIMES. We love our community and hope that in our stories we get to know one another as neighbors as well as businesses, and we thank you for your readership. In this October “Foodie” issue, our features include Knoxville businesses and organizations that genuinely bring

Jennie Treadway-Miller | jennie.miller@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Matthew Endersbe L AYO UT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Roch Monnig, Jr., CFP® CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ilyin Mapp

a “Knoxville Flavor” to our community.

On the cover is East Tennessee’s own Allan Benton, the darling of fine dining and home kitchens around the country. A self-described “Hillbilly”, Benton’s cured, aged hams and bacon are world renown. His products have even been featured in Garden and Gun, Southern Living, Forbes, and even GQ! Hard-working, self-deprecating, employer of many, we think Madisonville’s “Man on Ham” is something to brag about.

We also feature the upcoming 5th annual “Grains and Grits” festival in Townsend, Tennessee. This outdoor festival is an evening under the stars featuring “southern spirits and gourmet grub,” spotlighting the work of the Tennessee Whiskey Guild and the best regional restaurants in our area.

Also, we visit with the talented Stacy Jacobi of Stacy Jacobi Homes, who has the ability to transform a ho-hum kitchen space into something extraordinary.

Roch Monnig, Jr., CFP® of PYA Waltman Capital offers some great advice about taking life

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

as it comes, in a piece entitled ”Advice for Handling Life on the Rocks, Shaken, or Stirred”.

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

We are fortunate to be able to share the excellent work of the organization “A Place at

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

the Table” led by President of the Board Cyndi Sweet. This organization serves meals

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

to individuals who are experiencing homelessness in a dignified and respectful space

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

in Knoxville. We feature her team’s vision and dedication to this inspiring ministry.

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Finally, during this uncertain time, who couldn’t use some comfort? We all have our favorite comfort foods, and we’ve asked some of the best chefs and local icons in town for their favorites. We support Knoxville’s food and beverage community and hope you will too, with these ideas for “comfort foods to go.” The businesses that you see in these pages support our mission of helping our community- please think of them when

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

selecting the who you work with! They genuinely care about our Knoxville community.

We sure hope that there is a pack of Benton’s bacon in your future!

ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MASSACHUSETTS | MICHIGAN MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON | PENNSYLVANIA | SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

Amy and Marc ON THE COVER Allan Benton of Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ILYIN MAPP 4

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

Proverbs 3:5-6 West Knoxville Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the West Knoxville area’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in West Knoxville Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Grains & Grits Festival Returns to Celebrate Southern Spirits The Tennessee Distillers Guild, with its 30+ distillers will converge for this celebration of Tennessee spirits and gourmet grub.

Organized and hosted by the Tennessee Distillers Guild and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, the Festival returns with robust tastings from some of the region’s legendary and awardwinning distillers and blenders, while enjoying unique gourmet cuisine.

New to this year’s event is a special culinary experience—the Ring of Fire. Five chefs will encircle a large fire pit where a whole pig, lamb, chickens and saugages will be roasted and served. In addition, top chefs from across the state will also offer samplings from their menus.

Health and safety are forefront of the festival’s execution, and attendees can have the peace-ofmind that the Grains & Grits event will be following the Tennessee Pledge guidelines and adhering to social distancing and hygiene protocols and will be limiting ticket sales.

November 7, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets for Grains & Grits are $65 online or $75 for the day of the event and include live entertainment, whiskey and food tastings.

This is a 21 and over event and will take place rain or shine.

For more information or tickets to Grains & Grits, visit the event website at grainsandgritsfest.com.

INSIDE THE ISSUE OCTOBER 2020

FEATURES 14 Feeding a Need A Place at the Table moves to St. John's Lutheran

18 A Modern Mix A Small Kitchen Gets a Big Reno

22 Celebrate Southern Spirits Grains & Grits Festival Returns to Townsend

18 26

26 Allan Benton His Recipe for Success

22

14

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

8

Good Times

10

Around Town

14

Giving Back

18

Renovate & Refine

22 Road Trip 26 Locally Owned 32 Financial Buzz 34 Local’s choice

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12 TRANSFORMATION 12 WEEK WEEK TRANSFORMATION www.KnoxStrong.com www.KnoxStrong.com

f f

GOOD TIMES

Now Open: Diamond Jack Wine Bar “Just over the bridge” from West Knoxville is a a brand new wine bar “Diamond Jack” in Maryville, Tennessee. Owners Rachel and Micah Talley opened to the public August 21 to a supportive community. Drink Well & Prosper! Learn more at DiamondJackWineBar.com.

SOUTHEAST BANK PRESENTS

Shop Farragut & The Town of Farragut invite the community to join in the inaugural

FARRAGUT FALL FESTIVAL!

3pm to 8pm

in the former Kroger Parking lot, 11240 Kingston Pike The Festival will feature 3 dozen retail and promotional booths including food and beverage vendors.

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES Grayson Mini MedSpa at Choto Great Clips Jessica Phillips CPA 865 LIFE Wearables Premiere Martial Arts Amazing Nails with Kel slie Kat’s Lash Lounge & Wax Studio Sir Goony’s Simply Physio Snooty Patootie STAR Riding Academy Hudson & Harper

TDS Telecom MLILY Mattress Josh Itemphill State Farm Knoxvill TVA Employess Dredit Union Knoxville Academy of Music Staybridge Suites -Knoxville West Faith Promise Church I Farragut Villages of Farragut 865 Candle Company Young Living Essential Oil Root Journey Blush & Bashful Exodus Chiropractic Dale Designs

FOOD AND BEVERAGE VENDORS The Admiral Pub Kiki’s Hawaiian Shave Ice Water Into Wine

The Farragut Table Mucho Gusto Cruisin Cuisine

Berrylicious Bouquets First Watch Knox Dough

Shop Farragut will supply a large Festival Tent providing socially distanced seating for patrons to enjoy their food and drinks. The stage will feature continuous live entertainment. The bands include: 3 pm Common Interest 4 pm Bonfire Blue

5 pm 9/8 Central 6:30 pm Mighty Blue

This New Outdoor Event Is FREE To The Public!

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AROUND TOWN

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL The Great Smoky Mountain Food Truck Festival brings together food and the mountains for a weekend of fun. The festival will bring nearly 40 food trucks to the Little Arrow Outdoor Resort in Townsend. You’ll park at Smoky Mountain River Rat and be shuttled over to the Resort for a day by the river, complete with food, campfires, drinks and more. This is a family-friendly event suitable for all ages.

November 13: Enjoy a VIP Night with food, drinks, entertainment by the Drift Boat Cowboys, and a silent auction.

November 14: Plan to spend a day of fun by the

Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for those looking

river with 40 food trucks, swag packs included with

for late summer, early autumn bounty. The market is

each ticket, covered areas and campfires.

hosted by East Tennessee FARM and offers locallygrown fruits and vegetables as well as locally -sourced meats, cut flowers, honey, baked goods, and artisan wares. The Hardin Valley Road FARM Market is set to run through November.

SCAD MUSEUM OF ART AND MUSEUM OF FASHION RE-OPENS Savannah College of Art and Design re-opened SCAD Museum of Art and SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film for the fall 2020 season. Both museums re-opened Thursday, September 10, with new, thorough safety protocols in place for all visitors. New SCAD MOA exhibitions include

$25,000 was raised for New Hope Blount County

Carrie Mae Weems’ Resist Covid Take 6!, Edgar

Children’s Advocacy Center during their 5th-annual

Sanchez Cumbas’ No. This Is Not the Color

Bacon at the Bear Fundraiser August 1.

of Flesh, Guo Fengyi’s To See from a Distance,

The weeklong event was celebrated online

and Emily Mae Smith’s Feast and Famine. For

with a silent auction and special videos posted to

full exhibition and visitation information go to

the organization’s Facebook page that included

SCADmoa.org and SCADfash.org.

a chef’s special with Chef Shelley Cooper from

HARDIN VALLEY ROAD FARM MARKET Located at Hardin Valley Church of Christ, the Hardin Valley Road FARM Market is open on 10

MONIES RAISED FOR NEW HOPE BLOUNT COUNTY CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro, Chef Alex Gass from The Walnut Kitchen, and Allan Benton, the founder of Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams.

CONTINUED >

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XHUNGER INTRODUCES L.U.V.S. PROGRAM XHunger,

a

division

of

The

Scarecrow Foundation, introduces the

L.U.V.S.

program

which

is

designed to harvest more volunteers and financial support for local food pantries. L.U.V.S. spotlights the program goals: Locate a Food Pantry, Understand the Mission, Volunteer Your Time, and Support the Cause.

College and high school students are encouraged to start an XHunger Club at their school and fight hunger through service hours. Now through April 2021, student XHunger Club members are being challenged to up their game, become a leader in the community, and have the opportunity to win prizes, including a new car. To learn more about XHunger and the student challenge, go to XHunger.com.

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12

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

Contact us at CityLifestyle.com/ WestKnoxville using the Get In Touch link and let us know what you think.

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CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

13

FEEDING A NEED

GIVING BACK ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER

A PLACE AT THE TABLE MOVES TO ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN FIVE YEARS AGO, A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE STARTED MAKING TO-GO BAGS OF FOOD TO GIVE THOSE SEEKING SHELTER UNDER AN INTERSTATE OVERPASS OFF BLACKSTOCK DRIVE DOWNTOWN. Word spread quickly, and soon those to-go bags turned into a hot meal served each Monday evening to more than 200 people. A Place at the Table acquired its 501c3 status in 2018, and now they are looking to move their Monday night dinners indoors at Saint John’s Lutheran Church on N. Broadway.

“Pre-coronavirus, we were serving hot meals, cooked in homes and transported to under the bridge, averaging 20 volunteers a week and serving 200 buffet-style,” says Cyndi Sweet, Knoxville realtor and board president of A Place at the Table. “When the virus hit, we took one week off and decided we could stand the idea of not serving food.

We went back to bagged foods - a sandwich, chips, dessert, water, some snacks. Right now, we’re setting up outside St. John’s Lutheran.”

Moving from the I-40 overpass to St. John’s was intentional, as the long-term goal for APATT is to serve a proper sit-down meal, complete with plates and silverware, every Monday evening inside the church’s fellowship hall.

“The church approached us about partnering, and we shared our big dreams with them,” says Cyndi. “Ultimately, the dream is to have our own building. I would love to own our own building with a coffee shop or pastry shop where the homeless work there and make income, and then our income goes back into the project.”

In addition to serving weekly meals, APATT has a clothing and necessities ministry, such as

14

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

To contribute financially or donate items to the clothing and necessities ministry, or to help serve meals on Monday nights, contact Cyndi Sweet at (865) 705-6927. Read more at APATTKnox.com.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

15

GIVING BACK (CONTINUED)

hotel toiletries, Band-Aids, wet wipes, batteries, and other

a facility in the vicinity of KARM, Old Gray Cemetery, or

helpful items. The organization is run entirely by volunteers,

anywhere in that Knoxville area, we could store things,

so donations are pivotal in keeping the program afloat.

that would be great. Or necessities. We never have

“Financial support is always great, but if we could find a reasonable place, whether it’s a storage unit or 16

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

enough necessity bags,” says Cyndi. “They just need to call me on my cell phone and I’ll coordinate it.”

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

17

RENOVATE & REFINE

A Modern Mix A SMALL KITCHEN GETS A BIG RENO ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOS PROVIDED

STACY JACOBI AND HER HUSBAND DAVID ARE EXPERT MOVERS, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE MOVES 17 TIMES IN 17 YEARS. From one end of the country to the other, the Jacobis decided in 2018 to settle down for a while in Knoxville and purchased a 1930s brick home in Old Westmoreland, which had already undergone a renovation in the mid-1990s. The small kitchen was mostly functional, but the Jacobis were no strangers to a renovation. They knew exactly how to make that kitchen sing.

“The old kitchen had an L-shaped peninsula, and it was a small space to begin with. There was no way to expand it, and the peninsula really limited the moveability of the space,” says Stacy. “We took the small space and opened it up. Now it’s a five-foot island and it’s open. You’re not boxed in anymore.”

The goals of the kitchen remodel were specific: draw the eyes up, keep it clean yet warm, and avoid matchy-matchy. No one wanted a kitchen that looked like it was plucked out of a catalog.

After removing the peninsula and ripping out the ‘90s cab-

Use natural stone for warmth.

Play with mixed metals.

Be brave with open cabinetry.

Focus on the finishes.

inets, the kitchen was rebuilt by moving the sink to the island, opening up the top cabinetry, and installing a 900-lb. piece of marble against the main wall. The color palette was white and bright with spots of warmth, translated primarily through mixed metals and a darker shade on the inside of the open cabinets.

“People say brass is gonna be trendy again, but trends will be what they’ll be. If you like aged brass, use it. I used polished nickel and antique brass in the kitchen. Bring two metals together but limit your palette,” she says. “Pick a main one and let the other be an accent. If everything is too matchy-matchy, then it’s too trendy. Keep it eclectic, like everything has been added over time.”

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

CONTINUED >

Stacy Jacobi

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

19

RENOVATE & REFINE (CONTINUED)

Instead of putting big bucks into appliances like double ovens, as wonderful as they are, focus on finishes that still make a splash but don’t break the bank.

“Spend money on finishes that stand the test of time,” says Stacy. “That’s why we can go back to an old house in Sequoyah Hills and find subway tile that still works. You can’t beat the price.”

Stacy recommends perusing TJ Maxx or HomeGoods for simple, inexpensive everyday dinnerware, such as the all-white dishes she found, to help keep those open cabinets looking clutter-free. However, not having matching dishes shouldn’t keep homeowners from playing around with the concept of open cabinetry.

“It pulls your eyes up, and there’s no reason to keep your things hidden,” she says. “I love that you can change things out for the holidays, so it’s both display and functionality.”

20

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

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CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

21

ROAD TRIP

Celebrate Southern Spirits GRAINS & GRITS FESTIVAL RETURNS TO TOWNSEND ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY TASSI WILLIAMS

22

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

AUTUMN IN THE PEACEFUL SIDE OF THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS IS NOT TO BE MISSED, AND THE GRAINS & GRITS FESTIVAL IS MAKING IT EASY FOR FOLKS TO ENJOY IT. The festival of “southern spirits and gourmet grub” is back for its fifth year, this time with more whiskey connoisseurs and distillers than before.

Kim Mitchell, the Blount Partnership Director of Tourism, wanted to develop programs and events to bring more people to Blount County, and with so many distilleries in the area, it seemed like the right fit.

“The Tennessee Whiskey Trail hadn’t been developed yet, so we thought we could do a Tennessee Spirit Festival. We have people making incredible gin, rums, and vodkas. They make everything but Scotch and Tequila since you can’t make those in the states,” she says. “And what else goes with good drinks but good food. We incorporated some high-end restaurants to show out.”

Every distillery in the State of Tennessee is scheduled to come, along with 12 restaurants so far. New for 2020 is Michael Sullivan’s Ring of Fire.

“He was with Blackberry Farm and is now with American Butcher, and he’ll be roasting a full pig and lamb - cooked on-site on an open fire,” says Kim. “People can watch him and other chefs do open-air cooking.”

The list of treats continues. The master distiller from Jack Daniels will be on the grounds to talk to festival-goers, which is an opportunity most people don’t get. Plus, each distiller will be paired with a chef, who’ll incorporate the distiller’s spirits into their dish. Visitors will be able to purchase full-size spirits from favorite vendors as well.

Though there will be plenty of parking ticket holders, Kim hopes folks will make a weekend out of it.

“We’re encouraging people to come and stay in Townsend. The leaves will be turning, and that way, you can take the shuttle to and from several hotels and campgrounds,” she says. “Jack Daniels sponsors those shuttles, so you can come and enjoy the mountains, the beauty, have some good libations and some incredible food.

Everywhere we turn is doom and gloom, so it’s exciting to have something to look forward to.”

Grains & Grits enjoyed about 300 visitors the first year, but it’s grown leaps and bounds since, counting more than 1,000 festival-goers last year. With pandemic precautions in place, Kim says they are capping the festival at 500 this year.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

23

ROAD TRIP (CONTINUED)

“We want people to have interactions with the distillers, to get into conversation. They love that. They love to talk about their craft,” she says. “It’s always going to be small intimate.”

Limiting the number to 500 does add to the intimacy, but it also means giving people plenty of space to distance responsibly. With ample space available at the Townsend Visitor Center, folks can meander the grounds, sip, and taste.

“We normally butt up the tents together, but we have enough space to spread out. We’ll have markings to separate people while in line, and we’ll have plenty of hand sanitizer,” says Kim. “We have branded masks for people who want to wear them. I don’t think we can require masks since we’ll be outside drinking and eating, but our staff and volunteers will wear them.”

The Grains & Grits Festival is organized and hosted by the Tennessee Distillers Guild and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority. The festival happens rain or shine; however, if it has to be canceled for reasons related to COVID-19, all tickets will be refunded. Read more at GrainsAndGritsFest.com.

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

f a s t f a c t s :Â tickets online and save ten bucks.

1 . Buy TIckets are $65 online or $75 the day of the event (for age 21 and older)

2.

Make it a weekend! Jack Daniels is supplying shuttles to and from the festival from various hotels and campgrounds in Townsend.

3.

Snatch up your favorite spirits. When you're done taste-testing, you're welcome to buy full-size bottles of your favorite drinks. You'll receive tickets for your purchases to exchange for your spirits as you exit the tent.

4.

It's a worry-free Festival. Grains & Grits is following Tennessee Pledge guidelines for appropriate physical distancing with plenty of hand sanitizer and masks on hand.

5.

Raise a glass, rain or shine. Watch the weather and dress accordingly.

Tickets will only be refunded if the festival is cancelled for reasons related to COVID-19. CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

25

LOCALLY OWNED

Allan Benton's Recipe for Success IF ONE WERE TO DRAFT A RESUME FOR

Allan admits he knew nothing about fine din-

BENTON’S, IT WOULD BOAST A LENGTHY

ing, much less a restaurant brewing in Millers

CUSTOMER LIST OF NEW YORK AND

Cove, but he and his wife, Sharon, accepted

CALIFORNIA RESTAURANTS ALONGSIDE

the chef’s invite to Blackberry Farm anyway.

MENTIONS

IN

GOURMET,

SOUTHERN

They had nothing to lose.

LIVING, GARDEN & GUN, AND MORE

“It was the first time I’d had a dining expe-

RECENTLY, FORBES. Accolades for Benton’s

rience like that, and it put me on the path to

are a-plenty, but one exchange with Allan

becoming somewhat of a foodie,” he says.

Benton tells you everything you need to know

“Once you experience that food and that wine,

about his company: Humility and hard work are

you never go back.”

a recipe for success.

One thing literally led to another. Selling to

“I was working as a high school guidance

Blackberry Farm led to an invite to the Southern

counselor and had just finished my master’s

Foodways Alliance in Oxford, Mississippi, which

degree. School had just started, and two days

led to meeting more chefs and making connec-

later they passed around the salary sched-

tions with restaurants around the country.

ule, and I knew I needed to resign,” he says.

“People kept coming up to me saying, ‘I’m

“I enjoyed what I did, but I knew I couldn’t

chef from wherever. Can you sell me this

support myself and my family on that income.

product?’ Even a dumb hillbilly like me knows

I thought about law school, and back then

that’s an opportunity,” he says, laughing.

I probably could’ve gotten into law school.

“I called a team meeting of my then-three

Today I could be the custodian.”

employees and told them we’re gonna triple

He laughs. It was 1973 when Allan started looking around for a new job opportunity. Albert

or quadruple our aged ham production. They thought I’d lost my mind.”

H. Hicks, a dairy farmer, had owned a little coun-

It would be a few more years until Allan could

try ham business since 1947 and was looking to

sleep through the night and not worry hand-

move on. Allan and his father thought it sounded

over-fist about making a decent living, but by

like a decent gig, particularly since they’d been

the late-90s and early-2000s, Benton’s Smoky

raising their own hogs for years. They leased

Mountain Country Hams was easily known

the building from Hicks and opened Benton’s

in the restaurant industry and around East

Smoky Mountain Country Hams.

Tennessee simply as Benton’s.

“For the next 20 years, I laid awake at night

“Honestly, I didn’t even know what prosciutto

wondering how I’d stay in business,” says Allan,

was or any of the European hams. One day my

“but then I had a big break.”

wife and I were in a fresh market in Knoxville

Allan had been peddling hams throughout

and I saw the word and asked the butcher

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg when word came

what it was. I bought some and compared it

down from a new little restaurant in Millers Cove.

to some of mine, and I knew mine was better.

CONTINUED >

ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER | PHOTOGRAPHY ILYIN MAPP

26

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

Allan Benton

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

27

LOCALLY OWNED (CONTINUED)

28

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

To my wife’s surprise, she agreed. I deboned one of my aged hams, cut it, and sold it all in one day.

We were slicing prosciutto so much that we had to take it off the website,” he says.

For years, Benton’s bread and butter were selling products to restaurants, anywhere from weekly shipments to quarterly orders, both locally and around the country. However, COVID-19 slammed the breaks for everyone in the food industry. While Benton’s is still afloat, it was a lean summer and it’s been a slow climb towards fall.

“We’re fortunate in this area because I think the south will be open more than in the north and west.

A lot of our business was in New York, and we’re still selling a bit there, maybe 10 percent if we’re lucky.

The leases are so high in places like New York City and San Francisco that people who are doing carry-out only -- a lot of them will have to hang it up,” says Allan. “They can’t make it on limited seating.”

As restaurants closed temporarily (and some permanently), so did the need for Benton’s products. Allan credits his solid team, especially his plant manager, Tommy Bateman, for coming up with solutions to stay in business.

“Surround yourself with smart people and it always works,” he says.

Selling ham, bacon, sausage, and other products in the Madisonville shop and online have kept Benton’s hanging on during a troubling year. Allan also credits his own East Tennessee community for its continuing support.

“Anything we can sell to help pay the electric bill, we’ll sell, especially during the pandemic,” says Allan. “We’re humbled and grateful. We’re very lucky to still be in business.”

Learn more about Benton’s or order products online at BentonsCountryHams2.com.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

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LOCALLY OWNED (CONTINUED)

“Surround yourself with smart people and it always works.”

Pictured: Bo Weimorts 30

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

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FINANCIAL BUZZ

ADVICE FOR HANDLING LIFE ON THE ROCKS, SHAKEN, OR STIRRED 32

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

ARTICLE ROCH MONNIG, JR., CFP®

IF YOU’VE EVER LOOKED AT THE LIST OF

As financial advisors, we often see con-

COCKTAILS OFFERED AT KEFI, ONE OF

fidence like this developed through the

KNOXVILLE’S BEST MEDITERRANEAN

financial planning process, whether it’s the

RESTAURANTS, YOU’LL NOTICE ONE

confidence to fund an emergency expense,

OF THEM, THE THROW OF APHRODITE,

weather a market downturn, or adapt to

HAS A PECULIAR DESCRIPTION. It reads,

an unexpected life transition. When you

“The victor of the bartender monthly cocktail

work with someone to connect your values

contest. ‘Throw of Aphrodite’ indicated the

and goals to your finances, the twists and

victor in a dice game thousands of years

turns that affect your money don’t seem as

ago.” That’s right. Knoxville’s fiercest com-

unnerving as they once did.

petitions don’t always take place in Neyland

What I appreciate about the Throw of

Stadium. Once a month, they take place

Aphrodite is that I get to have a new but

deep in the Old City as Kefi’s bartenders

familiar experience every time I order it.

craft their own specialty cocktails. After

While new experiences can sometimes be

a taste test, a winner is chosen to be the

just as uncomfortable as some changes,

Throw of Aphrodite for that month.

so much of life, particularly personal

Like the Throw of Aphrodite, life changes

growth, occurs when we’re uncomfort-

every so often, too. Most of us say we don’t

able. That’s why it’s important to have a

like change, but have any of us ever said we

plan in place, so you can come back to

like monotony? With change comes novelty,

center in those uncomfortable moments

freshness, newness, or whatever you want

and make the most of them. Put dif-

to call it, and that’s something each of us

ferently, life’s going to send a Throw of

craves throughout life.

Aphrodite to your table from time to time.

But change makes us uncomfortable when we’re not expecting it. We can’t choose

With a plan in place, you shouldn’t hesitate to take that first sip.

when and how every change occurs though.

That’s why it’s easier to be open to it, as we

The opinions expressed are those of PYAW’s

should, when we have a plan, a strategy, or

Investment Team. The opinions referenced are

a foundation that allows us to feel that we

as of the date of publication and are subject

always have some control over the direction

to change due to changes in the market or

we’re heading. These are all built on a true

economic conditions and may not necessar-

understanding of ourselves, and our ability

ily come to pass. Forward looking statements

to adapt to uncomfortable change, that can

cannot be guaranteed.

only come from taking the time to reflect and determine what we believe, what we

PYA Waltman Capital, LLC (“PYAW”) is an

value, what we desire, and much more. By

investment adviser registered with the U.S.

establishing this understanding, we build

Securities and Exchange Commission. Regis-

confidence to not only accept life’s changes

tration does not imply a certain level of skill

but to embrace them and, sometimes, even

or training. More information about PYAW’s

seek them. (The Throw of Aphrodite is listed

investment advisory services can be found in

under Kefi’s “Bright and Confident” cock-

its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon

tails. I don’t think that’s unintentional.)

request. PYA-20-51

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

33

LOCAL’S CHOICE ARTICLE WKL TEAM

C O M F O R T

F O O D

T O - G O

Photography Credit: Cotton & Wilson

Photo credit: FlavoryStudio.com

Photo credit: FlavoryStudio.com

Photo credit: FlavoryStudio.com

1. J.C. Holdway / Roasted Chicken with Potato Puree, Grilled Mushrooms and Cabbage / JCHoldway.com / 2.

The Plaid Apron / Almond Cakes, gluten free / ThePlaidApron.com / 3. Pete’s Coffee House / Pete’s Breakfast / PetesCoffeeShop.com / 4. Long’s Drug Store / Soda Fountain Fare / LdsKnox.com / 5. Oliver Royale / Pan-Roasted Chicken / OliverRoyale.com / 6. OliBea / Olibea Chicken Biscuit / OlibeaOldCity.com / 7. RT Lodge / Fried Chicken with House-made pickles, Hot Sauce, and Local Honey / RTLodge.com / 8. Adopo Pizza / Wood-fired Sourdough Pizza / AdopoPizza.com / 9. Pioneer House / Letterpress cards of Comfort Food / Etsy.com/shop/PioneerHouse

34

West Knoxville Lifestyle | October 2020

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