Culinary Traditions in the Tennessee Overhill
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Culinary Traditions
The Tennessee Overhill can trace its culinary traditions to the earliest inhabitants of east Tennessee. The Cherokee who lived in the towns "overhill" from the North Carolina homelands, and the European settlers, African slaves, and immigrant laborers who followed. Early white settlers learned the value of corn and squash from the Cherokee and, in turn, introduced the Cherokee to domestic dairy practices. Africans contributed okra and a variety of make-do foods like greens and pork. This mixture of culinary traditions resulted in what we now call southern cuisine. Many of the old foodways have persisted, but like other expressions of culture, they are dynamic in nature and continue to evolve as a reflection of the changing social landscape.
Tastes of the Tennessee Overhill
Culinary specialties are a pride of any community and Overhill food traditions are no exception. The Tennessee Overhill is home to a wide selection of regional culinary specialties including country ham, local honey, wine, specialty fruit cakes, milled grits, world famous ice cream, and cheddar cheese. One thing that makes these specialties unique is that they are produced and processed by locals on site. This special combination of people, place and ingredients makes for something you can’t experience anywhere else.
Listed below are businesses that sell foods produced and processed on site, offering a unique opportunity to taste something made right here in the Overhill.
Benton’s Ham
2603 Highway 411
Madisonville, TN
(423) 442-5003
www.bentonshams.com
Hours: 8:30am-5pm; Mon-Sat
Benton’s relies on the age-old principles of brown sugar, salt, and a lot of time to cure their hams. Enjoy the aroma of hickory smoke while selecting ham, bacon, sausage, or domestic prosciutto, still made the old way. Benton’s hams and prosciutto are well known and used in fine restaurants across the eastern United States.
Sweetwater Valley Cheese Farm
17988 West Lee Highway
Philadelphia, TN
(865) 458-9192 or 877-862-4332
www.sweetwatervalley.com
Hours: 8:30am-6pm; Mon-Fri. 9am-5pm; Sat and 1pm-5pm; Sun
Sweetwater Valley Farm makes farmstead cheese using milk from the dairy cows that live on the farm. Visitors can see how cheese is made and taste samples of Tennessee Aged Cheddar and Volunteer Jack among the many varieties made onsite.
Tellico Grains Bakery
105A Depot Street
Tellico Plains, TN
(423) 253-6911
www.tellico-grains-bakery.com
Hours: 8am-4pm; Tues-Sat
Indulge in the culinary arts practiced by Tellico Grains Bakery. This local bakery, located in an historic bank building, is well known by locals and tourists alike for its homemade breads, pastries, cakes, pizzas, and sandwiches - all baked using a wood fired oven. Tellico Grains also uses seasonally available local produce, fruit, and berries as ingredients in its sandwiches and baked goods.
Mayfield Dairy Visitor Center
4 Mayfield Lane
Athens, TN
(423) 745-2151
www.mayfielddairy.com
Hours: 9am-5pm; Mon-Fri (last tour begins at 4pm) 9am-2pm; Sat (last tour begins at 1pm)
September-February open only on Sat. 9am-2pm (last tour begins at 1pm)
Using locally produced milk, Mayfield Dairy manufactures a variety of dairy products, including ice cream. Tour the plant to see how popsicles are made and watch milk being put in those famous yellow jugs. The Ice Cream Parlor offers the perfect opportunity to try a scoop of Mayfield’s Ice Cream.
Seven Sisters Honey Acres
12850 Hwy 68
Coker Creek, TN
(423) 261-2777
www.sevensistershoney.com
Hours: 11am-5pm; Wed-Sun
This shop sells local honey and other products produced from the owner’s hives, placed in various spaces throughout the region to guarantee a nice variety of flavor. Honey varieties when available include spring, wildflower, blackberry, autumn harvest, orange blossom, and sourwood.
Smelters Grist Mill
400 Ocoee Street
Copperhill, TN
(423) 496-9007
www.smeltersmill.com
Hours: 10am-5pm; Fri-Sat
Producing 100% natural stone ground wheat and corn products including corn meal, grits, and pancake mix, as well as fresh baked whole wheat bread. The age old process of using slow turning stones to grind corn and wheat does not heat the grist products, thus preserving the delicious taste.
Savannah Oaks Winery
1817 Delano Road
Delano, TN
(423) 263-2762
www.savannah-oaks-winery.com
Hours: 10am-6pm; Mon-Thurs. 10am-7pm; Fri-Sat and 1pm-6pm; Sun.
Follow the fruit from the fields to the winery and see the process of turning great grapes into fine wines. This family owned farm turned winery, also hosts an annual grape stomp.
Seasonal opportunities to taste the Tennessee Overhill include:
Sunshine Hollow
198 County Road 52
Athens, TN
(423) 745-4289
www.sunshinehollow.com
Baking Season: October-December 9am-4pm; Mon-Sat
This family owned bakery sells handmade pecan fruitcakes, Woozy cakes, nuts, jellies, and bakery items perfect for the holiday season.
Shultz Farm Foods
245 County Road 603
Athens, TN
(423) 745-4723
Seasonal Hours: September-December 24, 8am-5:30pm; Daily
This family owned farm and orchard offers everything from apples fresh from the tree, to handmade turnovers, pies, and cakes.
Local Agriculture and Seasonal Foods
The seasonal rhythms of agriculture still shape everyday life in the Tennessee Overhill. Spring ushers in plowed fields, fresh greens, and peas. Sweet corn, tomatoes, okra, beans, and melons appear in roadside stands and restaurants by mid-summer. Fall brings apples, sweet potatoes, and thoughts of hearty stews. Come December bakeries are working to turn out fruitcakes and apple stack cakes. January finds Overhill farmers pouring over seed catalogs in anticipation of the coming spring.
For centuries agriculture was the primary economic source for a majority of Overhill families, followed later by industrial jobs. By early to mid 1900's, mill work and large-scale mineral extraction began to dominate the workforce. Today some family farms are finding new ways to diversify their income by transforming the farm into an agri-tourism site. Farms now offer visitors everything from Tennessee Cheddar and local wines, to pick-your-own berries and fresh baked apple turnovers.
Corn fields, a popular crop for dairy and cattle farmers, remains a visible reminder of the regions strong ties to agriculture and farming practices. In addition to providing corn for both cattle and people, some of these fields have become popular corn mazes. There are several local farms that host annual corn mazes and use the opportunity to showcase their working farms to the public. These corn mazes often include educational elements and displays, as well as the ever popular hay rides and baby livestock.
Local Farmers Markets are a great way to find seasonal produce fresh from the farm. Pick your own vineyards and berry farms offer opportunities to gather strawberries, blackberries, and even muscadines right off the vines. Eat your favorites straight from the farm or make homemade preserves. The Agriculture Extension offices of Polk, Monroe, and McMinn counties offer canning courses for anyone interested in learning the art of food preservation.
For listings of Farmers Markets in your area, contact any of the local Agriculture Extension agencies:
Polk County Agriculture Extension Agency
6042 Highway 411
Benton, TN
(423) 338-4503
www.polkagextension.com
McMinn County Agriculture
Extension Agency
107 West College Street
Athens, TN
(423) 745-2852
Monroe County Extension Agency
310 Tellico Street South
Suite 3
Madisonville, TN
(423) 442-2433
Food Celebrations
Food is the centerpiece for many community events in the Tennessee Overhill. The Ramp Tramp, which has been taking place for over 50 years, offers city folk a chance to experience an age old mountain tradition – digging of the ramps and cooking them up with greens and eggs. Moofest celebrates the dairy farming heritage of the region. Some local festivals have developed reputations for certain foods that can be found there year after year. The Miners Homecoming always features an old time bean supper and pancakes served with a mixture of cranberries and applesauce. Native American fry bread is available at the Sequoyah Arts and Crafts, while 18th century recipe are served up at the Trade Faire at Fort Loudoun. The Methodist Church ladies, with their homemade baked goods, are always a hit at the Etowah Old Fashioned Fourth of July. Special events at the Englewood Textile Museum often include a local version of fruit tea. And Pumpkintown would not be Pumpkintown without pumpkins.
Several organizations in Overhill use food as a fundraising tool to raise money for their causes. These annual events range in scope from bake sales and chili cook-offs to pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners. Local cooks specializing in specific food preparation coordinate these events and in some cases prepare the meals. Rural fire stations, churches, scout troops and school booster clubs are among the most common sponsors.
For information on local events and celebrations, check out our Calendar of Events or contact the local Chamber of Commerce.
Athens Chamber of Commerce
(423) 745-0334
www.athenschamber.org
Etowah Area Chamber of Commerce
(423) 263-2228 or www.etowahcoc.org
Monroe County Chamber of Commerce
(423) 442-4588 or www.monroecountychamber.org
Polk County Chamber of Commerce
1-800-633-755 or www.ocoeecountry.com
For information about the Annual Ramp Tramp contact the Polk County Agriculture Extension Agency at (423) 338-4503 or www.polkagextension.com
Local Landmarks
Every town, no matter the size, has a culinary landmark serving as a gathering hub for the local community. It’s been that way since Trew’s Store welcomed local farmers in the late 1800’s and the Graball Room at the L&N Depot in Etowah served train passengers and locals in the early 20th century. Today is no different.
Just a few of the Overhill culinary landmarks in the region include; Brownies Restaurant and The Country Patch in Athens, Scotties in Etowah, Donna’s Old Town Café in Madisonville, Tellico Beach in Tellico Plains, Lottie's Diner in Benton, W&W Restuarant in Calhoun, and the New York Restaurant in Copperhill. All provide locals with a place to relax, meet as a group, and enjoy good food in a welcoming environment that also serves as a second home. Some locals have been visiting these restaurants for over 10 years.
Several Overhill towns have a Hardee’s, always located on a main highway. Although not unique to southern food traditions, Hardee’s and other fast food restaurants do speak to the foodways of the region and the need to socialize in spaces where food is a primary connector. Each one has its special morning coffee crowd that gathers to exchange news, recount local sporting events, and debate politics. Fly and tackle shops and game checking stations also have their share of regular traffic. Often men linger at these gathering places discussing the current fishing conditions or telling stories about the latest hunt over a ham biscuit or cup of coffee.
Ethnic Foods
Like much of the South, the Tennessee Overhill is experiencing a changing culinary landscape as more and more ethnic communities move to the area. The steady flow of immigrant arrivals is having a slow but dramatic effect on the culinary landscape, introducing new foods and flavor combinations to traditional southern palettes.
Just as European, Cherokee, and African influences can be seen in the development of the region’s foodways, more recent immigrant communities continue shaping Overhill cuisine. Hispanic and Latino communities are the most visible, with Mexican restaurants and South American groceries located throughout the area. Japanese restaurants and Pan-Asian cooking is also popular. Two local restaurants, C&W’s Drive In Restaurant and Small’s Drive In, are both owned and operated by Louisiana transplants. This is reflected in their menus, with both featuring Cajun dishes on Fridays. C&W’s also has fresh seafood on occasions and celebrates Mardi Gras with homemade King Cake.
You may not see all the different ways ethnic communities influence local foodways. They may cook traditional meals at home, but do not necessarily own or operate local eating establishments. These groups still interact through food with the larger community. During the 1940’s several Lebanese families moved to Copperhill to work as merchants. Today some of those families remain, with several women from the community cooking Lebanese meat pies for an annual church fundraiser. The event is open to the public and is heavily supported by local residents. In other towns across the region there are other individuals who prepare and bring traditional foods to community events and festivals, including homemade tamales and Korean beef rolls.
Culinary Traditions Report
The Culinary Traditions webpage is a result of research conducted by folklorist Liza Blair. The focus of Blair’s research was to identify and document specific and unique culinary art forms in the Tennessee Overhill. If you would like to read the original report simply click the link below to open the report as a pdf file.
Culinary Traditions in the Tennessee Overhill by Liza Blair.pdf
Funding for this project was provided by the Conservation Fund, Appalachian Regional Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
