{Meet The Team}
A George’s Blog Series
Jennifer Smith
Catering General Manager
Years Employed at Dead End: 4 Years
Where
Are You From: Born at St. Mary’s in
Knoxville, TN. Raised in St. Augustine, FL.
Tell us a little about
yourself…
I am the proud mother of
two beautiful children, Andrew and Naomi. My husband Richard and I met 16 years
ago, starting our family right away. We are raising our children at our home in
Seymour, TN.
My first job, at 15 years
old, was a cashier at Winn Dixie. It was then I knew I had a passion for
customer service. I couldn’t wait to go to work to see my “regulars”.
My first job as a server
was at Cracker Barrel. It was probably
the best place for me to begin my serving experience. The training is very strict
and by the book. The support by the management and the staff prepared me for my
future in the service industry.
I have worked in the food/
customer service industry ever since; 12 years for the same corporation. I have
made lots of professional relationships and many friendships, including my best
friend (and most importantly), my husband Richard.
In 2011, I was offered the
opportunity to work for Dead End BBQ. The General Manager, Neal Kelly, was
someone that I had previously worked many years for. He is the best in the
business, so I knew this was the right decision. The position that was opening
was in the catering department for sales. I had never worked in catering, but
was excited to try something new.
During the first year, I
focused on new customer relationships to grow our business. This was more
exciting than I could have imagined! Not only did I help increase the profit of
Dead End, but I found many new friends in the business while doing it.
I am now working my fourth
year at Dead End BBQ. The catering department has grown and evolved
tremendously. I am currently the General Manager of Catering for Dead End BBQ.
I manage both of our locations in Knoxville and Maryville. The best part of my job is that I have the
best team EVER to work with.
When you are at work, what is your “go-to”
meal?
This is a hard one!! I never have a
hard time deciding on a meal at Dead End. I love everything. The Sliced Beef
Brisket is the best I’ve ever had. The Smoked Wings are my favorite appetizer.
And the Beans & Smoked Sausage is MY FAVORITE side. I definitely recommend
having them on every plate you eat.
What is your favorite saying that has been
posted on the Dead End Sign?
“Don’t make the same mistake TWICE…
Let us CATER your Wedding!”
Share a memorable experience you’ve had during
your time at Dead End…
One of my most memorable
experiences involves catering at a UT Tailgate. I bet you can imagine the many
stories that I could tell.
It was a crazy day on UT
Campus. We had several deliveries & events for the BIG GAME. We dropped off
food to a local liquor distributor’s tailgate, set up on top of the parking
garage next to Thompson Boling Arena. The wind was moderately blowing, but the
drinking pace was much faster J So, I set the food up in heated stands and I told
the client that I would return close to kickoff to pick up the equipment.
Boy, was I surprised when
I got back!!! The food table was
drenched…and black…. and burnt!!!
I asked what had
happened. The responses were all totally
different?? Finally I got the answer. The wind had blown the tablecloth up and
over the heated stands. And of course, no one had noticed due to the
celebratory beverages being consumed.
However, once the table was engulfed in
flames, EVERYONE noticed. Unfortunately, there was no water to be found at the
tailgate. So they started dumping airplane bottles of liquor on the fire. This
wasn’t the smartest or quickest way to resolve the problem, but it eventually
worked.
Fortunately, no one was
hurt. And fortunately they had eaten all
of the food before the catastrophe!! No wonder no one was paying attention to
the table. I guess all you can say is, “Go Vols!”
