‘The Lord is in this’- Nancy Thompson, The Doorway Gourmet

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – “It’s a little ministry type kitchen,” said Nancy Thompson with The Doorway Gourmet. The little ministry type kitchen is making a big difference in lives around the community. And this ministry is a two-way blessing.

Garage sales just weren’t generating enough revenue in the initial fundraising efforts for the Annie Caldwell Foundation. Just more than five years ago, Thompson says the Lord directed her and the group toward the idea of the kitchen ministry.

Funds from The Doorway Gourmet benefit the foundation which in-turn provides grant funding to organizations striving to improve the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health of those seeking a path out of drug addiction.

On Thursday evening, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Jacksboro recognized its National Technical Honor Society students, and Nancy Thompson with The Doorway Gourmet was the featured speaker.

“There’s this one couple. They call everyday. They encourage us. They share recipes with us, and they tell their friends about us. Even jokes. They share jokes with us, and they just make our day,” said Thompson.

Nancy Thompson points out that this cooler and the three compartment sink (below) came from the folks at Powell Valley Marina as they remodeled their kitchen.

Tips and all go toward the foundation from The Doorway Gourmet. “Through lots of community support and selling lots of food are making this work,” said Thompson. Chicken salad croissants are the top seller. They drive the bus, according to Thompson.

Tiffany Pigg, a marvelous cook, has been there since day one. Heather Benson, a great bakery specialist, moved here a couple of years ago from Michigan and just came by one day and is still there. Christopher Lindsay, a student at TCAT, is interning.

It’s quite the combo, the cook and the baker. Tiffany Pigg (left) and Heather Benson help make The Doorway Gourmet the success it is.

Thompson and her husband Bill, of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, retired and moved to Caryville in 2017. The couple is originally from Louisville, Ky, and retired from careers in Florida. Nancy spent 30 years as a hospital administrator with Signature Healthcare while Bill was with Dean Foods.

“We’d always vacationed here with our kids at Gatlinburg and the mountains, and we just love it. When we left Florida, we came here, and it’s a great place to be,” said Nancy. The realtor located a home at Caryville, and that’s how the Thompsons ended up in Campbell County instead of Sevier County.

Chris Lindsay, a student at TCAT, is interning at The Doorway Gourmet.

The Doorway Gourmet employs women from the Bridges to Recovery home. “We have a lot of fun,” said Nancy Thompson.

“It’s not about the food. It’s about the community. We are so thankful for every person who comes here (to The Doorway Gourmet). We love hearing their stories, and we also match retirees up with businesses and projects,” said Nancy Thompson.

Nancy mentions that there is this one woman who regularly calls when she’s at the store. She calls to ask if there’s anything we need.

The oven was bought at auction for $50 while the huge stove (right) was donated by the First Baptist Church of Jacksboro.

The Doorway Gourmet is between JR’s Tires and the Sonic and is open Monday through Friday from 10am until 6pm. Ready to bake meals for a single or double vary each day and are prepared Tuesday through Friday with pick up or delivery. You can stop in or order at 423.494.3391. Catering, parties, weddings and events are also part of The Doorway Gourmet’s services.

“That $20,000 oven over there cost $50 at an auction. It had hardly been used. First Baptist Church Jacksboro donated this Thermador Stove. Powell Valley Marina remodeled and gave us our three compartment sink and large cooler,” said Nancy Thompson. These four items were the biggest things The Doorway Gourmet needed. “That’s why we feel like it’s a little ministry type kitchen,” said Nancy Thompson.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/08/2024-6AM-PAID AD)

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