I’ve spent more time in the kitchen in the past couple of weeks than I have in the past year. Cooking in my kitchen, that is. Cooking also includes rewarming, in my opinion. I am not proud of this.
Today’s Bacon brings you several tasty treats… a curated list of high quality Nashville food delivery options, a speed date interview with Betsy and Ridley Wills including their Corona Sanity advice, and recipe and movie recommendations from Judy Wright, food and gardening blogger at the delightful Judy’sChickens.org.
photo from Forbes.com
First, the curated list from the Wills Company:
“Thank you to our friends who forwarded so many great ideas for dining in the time of social distancing. Here’s version 2 with an additional batch of restaurants and caterers making nimble adjustments to their businesses models to support flattening the curve through social distancing. Plans are evolving as we speak, so check with your favorite eateries to see if they have implemented delivery, takeout or curbside pick-up. We look forward to sharing a meal with you soon!”
From Jennifer:
Here are the companies on the list that I have direct experience with and am CRAZY about!! Descriptions are from the Wills Company. Please just scroll through this part if you’re not a Nashville reader and look into your local options. All of us want to support our local small businesses I think!! This is an existential moment for small businesses.
Kristen Winston Catering
The popular Kristen To Go service returns as Kristen’s Pantry, offering two hand-curated menus available for pick-up or delivery every Wednesday and Friday, with first orders available March 20.
Food Co.
615-385-4311
The Green Hills lunch spot will deliver from its menu of sandwiches, soups, salads and its Soul Kitchen weekly specials.
Dani Kates Catering
dkates@bellsouth.net
615-566-8606
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, Dani’s team will deliver to your door. Place orders 24 hours in advance.
Johnny Haffner
johnnyhaffnercatering@gmail.com
Assuming there’s demand, Johnny will take orders on Monday for Wednesday and Wednesday for Friday. Servings for 2 will arrive in microwavable or oven-proof containers. Email if you are interested!
Corner Market Catering
Open for business at the Hillwood Boulevard location, Emily Frith is also supplying the grab-and-go coolers at The Produce Place on Murphy Road and Belle Meade Express at the BP at the Highway 70/100 Split.
615-352-0527
The Party Line
615-800-2019
Led by Henrietta Red chef Julia Sullivan and pastry chef Caitlyn Jarvis, The Party Line introduces weekly Family Meal for 3 or 5, with groceries optional, delivered to your door. For delivery 3/19, order by midnight 3/17.
Miel
615-298-3663
Starting March 17, Miel’s menu is available online for takeout. Order from seema@mielrestaurant.com or by phone.
Gigamunch
Explore the world one dish at a time with this online service that delivers a full-course dinner and dessert to your doorstep, along with stories and music to explore the more than just the food of a culture.
Sperry’s Mercantile
615-353-0809
The Picnic
615-297-5398
Now offering curbside pick up! Items from their regular menu. Call ahead. Open until 5 p.m.
Thank you, Wills Company, for gathering this intel!!
* * *
Speed Dating Interview with Betsy and Ridley Wills:
How worried are you about the coronavirus? On a scale of 1 – 10…
Betsy: beginning this past week, 9
Ridley: same
Will you change your daily or weekly routines?
Betsy: yes
Ridley: of course
Will you be able to work from home? Is that a good thing?
Betsy: yes and yes
Ridley: yes but not so good.
Presuming that we’ll all be staying home a lot more, how do you think you’ll use that extra time?
Betsy: projects
Ridley: taxes, puzzles, movies, entertaining Vandy refugees
If you watch more TV, which shows will you watch? (And which streaming service are they available on?)
Betsy: looking forward to new ones, Netflix
Ridley: always love old, Agatha Christie movies, Hulu
What shows have you watched in the last year or so that you would highly recommend?
Betsy: Binging “Mad Men”
Ridley: Monty Don’s “Big Dreams, Small Spaces” for your inner gardener
What are you reading right now?
Betsy: Lady in Waiting by Anne Glenconner
Ridley: Back Mechanic that my friend, Frank Majors, gave me
What have you read in the last year or so that you would highly recommend?
Betsy: The Body by Bill Bryson
Ridley: The Cutout Girl by Bart Van Es
What essential supply are you stocked up on?
Betsy: pasta
Ridley: frozen fish
What essential supply are you not stocked up on?
Betsy: Purell
Ridley: Clorox wipes
Approximately how many times a day do you wash your hands?
Betsy: 8
Ridley: 10
What is your advice for friends trying to stay mentally healthy in this trying time?
Betsy: Less tv, walk
Ridley: less news
* * *
And now, some recommendations from Judy Wright, of Judy’sChickens.org – hands down the most beautiful cooking/food/gardening blog I’ve ever seen. I am regularly inspired by it though I mean inspired in a kind-of metaphorical and rhetorical way (all I ever do is look). I resolve to try some of the recipes in the Time of Corona! Judy describes her blog as “Italian style meals and sustainable gardening advice you’ll love.” She’s our own Barefoot Contessa, Nashville.
Here’s how she describes her mission:
This website is a place to share what I have learned from the beautiful Italian women in my family who understood the best way to bring people together was around the dinner table. Growing fruits and vegetables in the backyard, raising chickens, cooking, knitting, sewing, and loving on us children, that is the legacy they left behind. As the only girl of seven children, I got to hang out with the women wherever they gathered. I was loved on and encouraged to try everything and I heard some great stories in the process. Today, my greatest joy is to sit at one end of the table, my husband at the other, and listen to the sounds of plates being passed and stories being shared.
She ran a post a few days ago recommending movies and agreed to share it at Bacon today… more on her recipes later…
From Judy:
Over here at The Chick Inn, it’s movie night every night these days. Our Aussie enjoyed last night’s feature, Togo, a movie about a dog who saved the day. For my sons, if you are reading, Dad wept.
Scout watching Togo
The Movies
Each movie was suggested by Facebook friends after I asked for recommendations with a low body count that wouldn’t raise your BP.
Togo: Based on a true story about a dogsled team led by a Siberian Husky named Togo and musher, Leonhard Seppala, played by Willem Dafoe, who race across Alaska during a storm to transport an antitoxin serum for a Diptheria epidemic to the frontier town of Nome. (Found it on the Disney Channel.)
Peanut Butter Falcon: A good Huck Finn journey story about a young man with Down Syndrome who escapes from an assisted living facility and meets a troubled fisherman who helps him reach his dream of becoming a wrestler.
Troop Zero: A sweet and empowering story about a young girl and her misfit friends who come together to win a talent show — stars Viola Davis and Alisson Janney.
Brittany Runs a Marathon: A good movie about a hard-partying, overweight woman on a journey to fix her life by training for a marathon.
Dark Waters: Based on a true story about a lawyer, played by Mark Ruffalo, who is asked by a client to investigate Dupont, at the time knee-deep profiting from the sale of Teflon-coated products. Eye-Opening. It makes you wonder what other gadgets we use today will turn out to be carcinogenic tomorrow.
The Good Liar: An enjoyable movie about a male con-artist who tries to swindle a wealthy widow, played by Helen Mirren. I don’t want to give anything away, so that is all I will write.
Ford v Ferrari: A surprisingly fun movie about American automobile engineers, played by Matt Damon and Christian Bale, charged by Ford execs, Henry Ford II and Lee Iaccoca, with building a racing car that will beat Ferrari at the Le Mans race of 1966.
Quick note from Jennifer: I loved this too!
The Two Popes: A good biographical story about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, played by Anthony Hopkins, and the election of his successor, Pope Francis.
Harriet: A fantastic biographical story about Harriet Tubman, a slave in Maryland, who escapes with the help of the Underground Railroad, and then returns to the South to free her family and other slaves.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: A beautiful biographical story about a journalist who is charged with writing a story about heroes for Esquire magazine. He interviews Mr. Rogers, played by Tom Hanks, and is changed by the experience. If you like this, be sure to watch the documentary about Fred Rogers, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Knives Out: A fun, modern whodunnit with a wonderful ensemble cast including Christopher Plummer, Jammie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, and Don Johnson.
We have yet to watch these recommended movies:
Molly’s Game: A biographical crime drama written by Aaron Sorkin starring Jessica Chastain and Kevin Costner.
The Upside: A paralyzed billionaire, played by Bryan Cranston, hires a paroled convict, played by Kevin Hart, to take care of him. Also stars Nicole Kidman and Julianna Margulies.
The Other Guys: A buddy-cop action movie starring Will Ferrell & Mark Wahlberg.
The Nice Guys: A dark comedy crime show starring Russell Crowe & Ryan Gosling.
Judy looking like a movie star!
For incredible recipes, please check out her blog!!
Here are a few of her favorites:
Aunt Bridgit’s Chicken Soup with Tiny Meatballs: https://
Mary’s Award-Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thank you so much, dear Robin P….
And thank you also, dear (other) Robin P!! xoxo
Xoxo
Thanks for wonderful movie and book suggestions….and for your blog. We appreciate your efforts to enhance our isolationist days.
Thank you to all for the good recommendations – both edible and readable!
And I am hoping that Gus and your daughter in Atlanta will feel better soon!
Stay healthy, Jennifer!
Thanks, Jennifer!! Sure has been fun being one of the writers featured on your fantastic website! Hope your family feels better soon.
I SO appreciate your time at Bacon, Judy!! Xoxo
congratulations, Jen, you have accomplished the Triple Crown with this post. I will follow any advice/recommendations the Wills and Judy have to offer!
I will too, dear Mary Jo!! And thank you ~ Xoxo
Thank you, Mary Jo!
Always love the food suggestions from Judy ~ so scrumptious!! And Ridley, excellent book idea! Thanks. Much gratitude for your contribution to my sanity during social isolation.
I feel the same way, Jody – so grateful for suggestions from friends!! Thank you for being in touch. Xoxo
Thank you, Jody! So sweet! Sure miss you. xo
The Wills’ responses in type are poetic in their brevity – love!
Judy Wright’s chicken soup, cookies, and movie watchlist are sustaining us – literally – every day. Your blogs are gems!!
Kate, professionally, I was a nurse. This comment fills me with joy on many levels. Thank you.