In 1997, Jim and Cheryl Hagy opened Chef’s Market. Their desire was to provide chef-prepared, healthy, Southern inspired foods at an affordable price. While it seems like a secret tucked away in Goodlettsville for 27 years, it is no secret. Both the café and their catering businesses have received acclaim by winning Zagot, as well as several reader choice awards, by providing approachable yet sophisticated food.
About the Business
According to an article in NFocus Magazine, “From age 11, Jim Hagy knew he wanted to work in hospitality. That dream started thanks to his family’s restaurant, Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, which inspired him to pursue a degree in hospitality management and food and beverage service. While studying at The University of Southern Mississippi, Jim met his wife, Cheryl, and the pair put their heads together to develop something truly unique [a few years later].” They now have 300 employees.
Set up using a cafeteria format with on-site dining, they also have grab and go take-away, and they have gained quite a reputation for their off-site catering. They have come to be known for their quality and great service, having become “Nashville’s Best Caterer” in the Nashville Scene more than 13 years in a row, growing into the largest off premise caterer in the greater Nashville area
What Makes Them Different
“Our specialty is creating a customized menu which perfectly reflects both your personality and your vision for your special event,” Jim Hagy said on Yelp. “Whether at the restaurant or one of our many custom catered events, we pride ourselves in our reputation of delivering quality and creativity in everything we do.”
That quality and creativity is sure to come from Hagy’s passion for culinary tradition and a fascination with the cultural history of Southern food. He has long drawn on ingredients with regional uniqueness, like sorghum and molasses, and the historical sources of Southern recipes, including Europe, Africa and Native America.
Their Specialities
Over the years Chef’s Market has become known for a number of specialties, including their Fried Catfish Filet, Jerusalem Chicken, New England Pot Roast and Hot Chicken Salad.
“At Hagy’s Catfish Hotel we always serve delicious hot, steamy, crisp right out of the fryer fried chicken,” Hagy said on the restaurant’s blog. “It was what I grew up on, and the standard by which I measure all other chickens… It wasn’t until I had the pleasure to go to one of my wife’s family reunions on a hot July day that I experienced cold picnic fried chicken.
The business also has a reputation for great salads, perfect for hot summer meals. They are light and flavorful, packed with vibrant, seasonal ingredients. Three favorites are Corn and Avocado Salad made with sweet corn kernels, juicy grape tomatoes, and buttery avocados tossed in a zesty lime dressing. It is like a fiesta in your mouth. It’s gluten-free and made with the freshest ingredients. Next is the Berry Berry Good Salad bursting with ripe strawberries, plump blackberries, and sweet blueberries tossed together in their Cinnamon Balsamic Vinaigrette. Then there is their Classic Southern Potato Salad created from a mustard-mayo blend with a hint of dill loaded with tender potatoes, crunchy pickles, and a sprinkle of paprika on top.
Also offered are sandwiches, wraps and burgers. Keto focused items can also be found on the menu.
Best loved is their desserts. A long-time summer favorite is their Southern Lemon Box minis with pecan crust served in jars and their cake pops.
For those who don’t have the energy to cook after a long day, they offer a “Hard Day’s Night Menu” which includes a selection of dinners for four to grab and take home.
More About the Business
Chef’s Market is open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and closed on Sunday. They are located at 900 Conference Drive, Suite 9 in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
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