Blackberry Farm (resort)
Blackberry Farm is a luxury resort in Walland, Tennessee, bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was rated the best small hotel in America by Zagat Survey in 2004.[1] Blackberry Farm is part of the Relais & Châteaux association.
History
[edit]Blackberry Farm was built by Florida and David Lasier in 1940 and opened in May 1941. In 1952, the Lasiers sold the property to the Jarvis family who subsequently sold it to Ruby Tuesday restaurant founder Sandy Beall and his wife Kreis. In 1990 they turned the property into a hotel, initially with six rooms.[2] Their son Sam Beall spent his earliest years at Blackberry Farm and served as its owner until his death in 2016.[3][4]
From 1992 until 2007, John Fleer served as executive chef of the restaurant.[5][6] Under Fleer's management, Blackberry Farm was rated by Zagat in 2003 and 2004 as number one small hotel and number two hotel dining in America.[7]
Property
[edit]The grounds cover 4,200 acres (1,700 ha), and the resort has 62 rooms.[8] Blackberry Farm hosts culinary, musical and outdoor sporting activities and events on and off property.[9] The property includes a timberframe barn from Pennsylvania, a dining and entertainment venue, a spa, an events hall, and guest cottages.
Popularity
[edit]The resort is popular amongst celebrities. Maren Morris, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Carrie Underwood, and couple Lily Aldridge and Caleb Followill have all reportedly stayed at Blackberry Farm.[10] Country music singer Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland was married at Blackberry Farm on November 26, 2011.[11] Kelly Clarkson and her former husband, Brandon Blackstock were married there on October 20, 2013.[12] On April 23, 2022, golfer Dustin Johnson married Paulina Gretzky, daughter of Wayne Gretzky, on the property. [13]
Publications
[edit]- Fleer, John (2002). Blackberry basics: Recipes from Blackberry Farm. Blackberry Farm Press.
- Beall, Sam (2012). The Foothills Cuisine of Blackberry Farm: Recipes and Wisdom from Our Artisans, Chefs, and Smoky Mountain Ancestors. Clarkson Potter. ISBN 9780307886774.
References
[edit]
- ^ "A Taste of Blackberry Farm". O, The Oprah Magazine. Fall 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ^ "Sandy Beall | Blackberry Farm".
- ^ Blackberry Farm's Sam Beall Has Died
- ^ "The Inn at Blackberry Farm - History". Blackberry Farm. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ^ "John Fleer". Charleston Wine + Food. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- ^ Constantine, Mary (February 28, 2015). "John Fleer reflects on Blackberry Farm". Knox News. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- ^ "'Rhubarb' chef to talk about food, restaurants". Black Mountain News. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- ^ Cole, Jennifer V. "Experience Luxury at Blackberry Farm". Southern Living. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ^ "Blackberry Farm". Luxury Hotel Experts. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ^ Chubb, Hannah; Schmidt, Mackenzie (March 9, 2022). "Where to Spot a Star on Vacation: Celeb-Favorite Hotels and Resorts Across the World". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- ^ Finan, Eileen (November 28, 2011). "Jennifer Nettles Gets Married!". People.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Webber, Stephanie (October 21, 2013). "Kelly Clarkson Marries Fiance Brandon Blackstock – All the Details!". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ "Golf's glamour couple Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson get married | GolfMagic". www.golfmagic.com. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
35°41′10″N 83°51′58″W / 35.686°N 83.866°W
 | This Tennessee building- or structure-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Blount County, Tennessee geography–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |