When your take-out bag includes printed instructions for proper introduction of the herbed butter, chances are good that dinner has been upgraded.
The chances are also good that you are Facebook-acquainted with Lawrence and Dawn Phillips, owners of Jersey Girl Catering, located in a store front on West Main Street in Morristown.
It all started back in the spring of 2021.
Easter was fast approaching when a social media post appeared that signaled a shift of the earth’s axis, if you happened to be a serious-minded foodie who never developed a talent for recipe interpretation or had grown tired of standing at the stove in the time of Corona.
Dawn posed a question on FB, asking if there would be any interest in a meal to take home and heat up later, prepared by Lawrence and staff in the commercial kitchen located next door to Jersey Girl Diner (now closed).
The feedback from that informal poll resulted in a menu titled “Easter Feast” posted the afternoon of April 8, 2021 Inspiring phrases like ‘Dark Beer & Brown Sugar Sirloin Roast’ and ‘Citrus Cranberry Jus’ (to accompany the rotisserie pork loin) practically jumped off the electronic page.
In response, near panic ensued.
Comments of “Yes!!” and “Count Us In” were posted one after the other, including a request for an express shipment to Iowa. There was momentary confusion as to how to guarantee a reservation. Comment? Private Message? Then, as the already hungry gazed with awe at the details of the multiple courses on the menu, the instruction to email was noticed. More comments followed: “Did you get my email?”
The whole thing was a coin toss, really.
Notwithstanding the time it took to console the panicked, there was the preparation (until 2 a.m. Saturday for Lawrence) the organization, the packaging and, most intriguing, the deference shown to the unskilled consumer regarding the instruction sheet. The directions were concise, yet simple: preheat oven, set timer, cover or uncover, pour over, refrigerate. The small piece of paper was held dear to the hearts of those deigned with the responsibility of getting Chef Lawrence’s impeccable creations to the home table intact and, by Golly, at the right temperature.
There were enough positive responses to justify a modified repeat performance. On April 20, the Wednesday Dinner Pickup debuted, featuring Chicken Parmesan.
Then things got real.
On April 22, the Saturday Dinner Pickup was posted, featuring Charleston Crab Cakes.
The bacon wrapped meatloaf dinner was next, followed by a pork loin brined in apple cider, then the Classic Shepherd’s Pie.
Reservations were required several days prior to pick up for the Mother’s Day Feast, due in no small part to: Rotisserie Herb Coated Chicken Breasts, Apple Cranberry Corn bread Dressing, Charleston Shrimp & Grits with Andouille Cream Sauce, and so on and so forth.
Each package is sold to feed four people, priced at an average of $10 per plate, and featuring generous portions that enable it to be extended beyond one meal. There is something very neighborly about the whole thing. While waiting in line to check out with Dawn, there is ample time to learn the latest community news – the customer base for pickup meals is as varied as the menus. Friends greet each other and new acquaintances are quickly formed.
James Templeton is always on hand with a quick smile to divvy out the carryout packaging, divided into two and four-servings.
When Dawn made that first Facebook post, the idea was to re-open the Jersey Girl Diner. It had been closed due to Covid.
However, the immediate and long-lasting success of the pickup meals – along with the staffing challenges that faced the Phillips many other small business owners across the country – led to the decision to keep it closed.
The couple, and James, keep busy with catering events, both large and intimate. They serve the volunteers at each United Way of Hamblen County report luncheon and are in high demand for nonprofit fundraisers and galas hosted by civic organizations.
Their reputation for consistent, impeccable menus and service is unmatched in Morristown.
The success as a team can be explained by their success as a couple.
Dawn is from New Jersey and Lawrence is from Fort Myers, Florida. And, yes, it was love at first sight – “I always thought a man in a chef coat was sexy!” Dawn said.
Lawrence has an extensive resume as a professional chef and Dawn’s background is in convention management, with a focus on booking banquets.
The couple moved to Morristown in 1996 and opened Jersey Girl in 2008. There are definitely challenges to living and working together, “but we work really well together,” Dawn said.
They miss the customers that frequented the diner, but “we are enjoying what we are doing now,” Dawn said.
As WINK noted back in 2021, there are things that might not be the same again, ever. And change is hard.
Uncertainty can make people act in irresponsible or selfish ways. But there is comfort to be found. Generosity prevailed.
The business of living and thriving in our community will ensue despite challenges and frustrations.
In the process, Dawn and Chef Lawrence continue to show us how to pivot.
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