“Comfort and Consistency” is the way Kay West described the cooking style of the late Walter Johnson “Jay” Luther Jr, in a June 2012 Nashville Scene article. She was right! Jay was always most comfortable in his kitchen and it showed. There was a lot of love in his dishes. Some of my Germantown Cafe favorites were his french onion soup, shrimp and grits, grilled veggie salad (salmon added), plum pork and of course, the warm walnut apple dessert with cinnamon ice cream! Everything was always cooked perfectly, and with balanced flavors. I was lucky to know Jay and call him my friend. If he knew Pank and I were in the restaurant, he would come out to say howdy. He would always ask with a beaming smile “What did you have?” He truly wanted to know what we thought. Jay was just Jay with us. I loved talking food with him! He and his partner, Chris Lowry, have been leaders in the local restaurant community of Nashville for over a decade! I am also lucky to know Chris and call him my friend! He has been a great resource for me, as I have found my way into the food world with Corbin In The Dell. I can honestly say that I have found comfort and consistency in both of them and I am grateful. It’s not even been a year since Jay’s death. He is missed dearly!
Chris has partnered with many other great Nashville culinary leaders for a wonderful benefit this evening. I can’t wait to enjoy some of Jay Luther’s original recipes and support the Jay Luther Memorial Scholarship at Nashville State’s Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts. Chris is generously matching 100% of food sales tonight! As we raise our glass of Maker’s Mark to Jay Luther, budding chefs will also be able to find comfort and consistency in a community of wonderful leaders!
If you can’t make the event tonight, but would like to contribute to the Jay Luther Memorial Scholarship please send your check to :
NSCC Foundation
120 White Bridge Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
Make checks payable to the NSCC Foundation and note on the check “Jay Luther Memorial Scholarship” to ensure the funds are directed properly.
