Cityview Magazine’s Top Chefs 2022 Competition

This year, we were beyond thrilled to learn that our very own Chef Darin Hoagland was invited to participate in Cityview Magazine’s Top Chefs competition! Each spring there are seven, one-night-only events that happen throughout Knoxville where seven restaurant’s chefs are invited to participate in a competition that is all about bringing an unforgettable experience to all who attend. During the event guests had the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional hand-picked menu curated by Chef Darin as well as an unforgettable dining experience. Ticket sales benefitted East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

We are happy to report that this year, $28,800 was donated to East Tennessee’s Children’s Hospital.

The Curated Menu

Chef Darin curated a menu that drew on his journey as a chef thus far. With a cameo of a Royale favorite to homages to his time in Florida and childhood favorites, the menu was as eclectic as the evening!

Appetizer - Tuna Sashimi

A dish that is commonly requested, the Tuna Sashimi is made with kimchi mayo, sweet soy reduction, scallions, pickled ginger, wasabi cream cheese, crispy wonton, and tobiko. This appetizer is paired with J Vineyards ‘J’ Brut Rose, Russian River Valley.

Entree - Caribbean Jerked Black Grouper

This entree is made with okinawan purple sweet potato, papaya, mango, kiwi salsa, crispy plantains, and coconut beurre blanc. The Grouper goes great with a glass of 2019 Pieropan Calvarino, Italy.

Dessert - Strawberry Rhubarb

This dessert is made in phyllo with whipped vanilla ricotta, sweet cream, strawberry caviar, and spun sugar. Who doesn’t love a glass of wine with their dessert? This one pairs great with a 2019 Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo, Italy.

Results are in!

This event was one of the best nights of Chef Darin’s career! While the experience was intense and exhilarating, Chef Darin performed some of his best work under pressure! When asked what his proudest moment of the evening was, he said it was after competing in the event with his staff. Being able to see how proud everyone was of themselves meant the most to him and was the biggest reward of the evening.

The results of the 2022 Top Chefs Competition are in!

APPETIZER

1ST PLACE – Tuna Sashimi Crisp

DESSERT

2ND PLACE – Strawberry Rhubarb

EXPERIENCE

3RD PLACE – Darin Hoagland

We couldn’t be more proud of Chef Darin and the entire Oliver Royale team! We can’t wait for next year’s competition!

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P.S. Don’t forget about our Q2 fundraiser for Knoxville Habitat for Humanity happening now through June 30th. For every Royale Roulette or Librarian Recommendation (PKL) ordered - a $1 donation will be made on your behalf to Knoxville Habitat for Humanity, as well as a percentage of every ticket purchased for one of our wine dinners.

Oliver Family Initiatives

In the last two years of binding together as a community - Oliver Royale, The Oliver Hotel and Peter Kern Library have been committed to raising funds for a Knoxville-based organization or charity each quarter. We love an opportunity to give back to the city and community that we love.

Let’s dive into the organizations we chose and give you an opportunity to be a part of our Q2 initiative too!

Recapping our Q1 fundraising organization - Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL)

In the first quarter of 2022, we partnered with the Knoxville Area Urban League (KAUL), a civil rights, economic development and social service organization, that came into existence in 1968 at the height of the civil rights movement to promote equal employment opportunities for African-Americans in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville Area Urban League is an affiliate of the National Urban League, the country’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. 

We were able to raise $2,255 for their workforce program that helps their mission of every adult in America having equal access to resources that enhance employment and job mobility, including post-secondary education and training.

Thank you for your continued support to our community!

Getting to know our Q2 organization - Knoxville Habitat for Humanity

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, housing ministry that partners with people of all beliefs. Knoxville Habitat has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1985 and builds homes in partnership with families and individuals in need of a safe and affordable place to live. 

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is also a Veterans Build Affiliate with Habitat for Humanity International, part of a national effort to provide affordable homes for local men and women who have served our country. In addition, they're also affiliated with Cost of Home that works toward policy solutions to address the need for home affordability in local communities, the state of Tennessee and nationwide. Knoxville Habitat for Humanity has worked with over 700 families in Knoxville County.

How you can partner with us to raise funds for Knoxville Habitat for Humanity and all our quarterly initiatives

In addition to learning more about each of our quarterly initiatives and volunteering your time with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity, Oliver Royale and Peter Kern Library allow you to give back financially to support their mission! Here’s how:

Now through June 30, 2022 -  

• For every Royale Roulette or Librarian Recommendation (PKL) ordered - a $1 donation will be made on your behalf to Knoxville Habitat for Humanity.

• A % of all wine dinner sales will be made on your behalf to Knoxville Habitat for Humanity.
  

We can’t wait to see how together, we can make a big difference in the lives of those right here in Knoxville!

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For more information on Knoxville Habitat for Humanity and Knoxville Urban League - make sure to visit their website!

Zoo Knoxville - A Generational Experience

We sat down with Zoo Knoxville CEO, Lisa New, for a candid interview to learn more about our beloved Zoo Knoxville. Like most businesses, the pandemic brought its challenges but with the help of the community, this treasured Knoxville landmark is looking forward to better days.

After a year of binding together as a community - Oliver Royale, The Oliver Hotel and Peter Kern Library have committed to raising funds for a Knoxville-based organization, non-profit, charity or business for each quarter of 2021.

This quarter, we chose Zoo Knoxville and this interview shares in more detail why.

Getting to know Zoo Knoxville

The Modern Knoxville Zoo dates back to 1971 - ringing in its 50th anniversary this year! From historical moments, like becoming the home to the first African elephant born in the western hemisphere in 1978, to being the first zoo to successfully breed the second generation of captive-born Arakan Forest turtles and common spider tortoises - Zoo Knoxville has made important contributions in the science of conservation. 

In speaking with CEO, Lisa New, perhaps equally as impactful of a contribution has been seeing and hearing the stories of generations of families who are now bringing their own children to the zoo as adults decades later. Zoo Knoxville is accredited by the National Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) where they have the opportunity to work with other accredited facilities on a collective species survival plan for all animals that live in AZA accredited zoos in North America.

Zoo Knoxville & the Pandemic

This time last year the zoo was closed for over sixty days which created a significant financial hardship. During a time of year when traffic is high due to Spring Break visitors - the loss of this peak season was a hard hit for the zoo.

Despite their apprehension and careful consideration to not burden the community, it was simultaneously an amazing moment of reflection to see how much the community plays an active role in the culture of Zoo Knoxville. 

Throughout the closure, people continued to be deeply fascinated and interested in what was going on inside the zoo and the community responded in a BIG way! The Mayor and City Council voted to support the zoo, affording them a long-term low interest loan from the county in addition to a remarkable $300k raised by everyday citizens of Knoxville. 

This coming together helped close a gap that seemed insurmountable at the moment.

Exciting Happenings at Zoo Knoxville

On May 18, 2020 Zoo Knoxville reopened and the people of Knoxville have steadily been coming ever since! The outdoor nature of visiting the zoo made for a safe place for the community to experience fun outdoors in the height of the pandemic.

In the past 5 years the zoo has experienced exponential growth and redevelopment of over 1/3 of its property to include the newly opened Clayton Family Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Campus. This 12,500 square foot+, indoor facility showcases exciting species like the radiated tortoise, poison dart frog, red spitting cobra, gravity defying cuban croc, and sloths and highlights the work that Zoo Knoxville is most famous for -  the conservation work for turtles, reptiles, and amphibians. The North American river otter exhibit will open later this summer 2021.

How you can partner with us to raise funds for Zoo Knoxville

In addition to purchasing daily passes and memberships, or attending special events such as Behind the Scenes Tours, Night Safaris, Zoo Camp, the annual Boo at the Zoo or their Craft Bear Nights featuring extended hours on Thursdays to sample local food trucks and breweries - patronizing Oliver Royale, Peter Kern Library and The Oliver Hotel allows you to give back too! Here’s how:

Now through June 30, 2021 -  

• For every Royale Roulette or Librarian Recommendation (PKL) ordered - a $1 donation will be made on your behalf to Zoo Knoxville..

• A percentage of every ticket purchased to our June Virtual Cocktail Class will be donated to Zoo Knoxville.

• Our hotel room minibars are now stocked with Flying Panda Specialty Beverages and Tip Top Proper Cocktails. A $1 donation will be made on your behalf when you purchase either beverage while staying with us. 

We can’t wait to see how together, we can make a huge difference in our community!

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For more information on Zoo Knoxville - visit their site at zooknoxville.org

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date information and happenings.

How COVID-19 has impacted the Oliver Family and a few words with Chef Jon Gatlin

Covid-19 and the quarantine, with no current end in sight, came without warning, and turned the way we all do life and run our businesses upside down. Just over a month in we can already take inventory of all the ways we’ve course-corrected the details of the day-to-day to continue serving our team, our patrons, and our community the best way we know how.

A lot like you, we’re figuring this out as we go. And that’s the reality of this space in time. Life is being lived in the day to day.

It has meant everything to us to see our community, fellow business owners, and customers rally around us. 

This month, we wanted you to hear from our Executive Chef Jon Gatlin. If you follow us on Instagram or Facebook, you’ve seen team shout-outs on our feed, one of which was to this guy. A true innovator and genius under fire. Without fire, you can’t cook though, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Without further ado, we give you our interview with Chef Gatlin.

Our Interview with Executive Chef Jon Gatlin 

Oliver Royale: Chef, what were your initial thoughts when news of restaurant closures were first announced? 

Chef Gatlin:  It was a devastating blow for us and anyone without sustainable income. Restaurants are the backbone of communities and the economy, and seeing many restaurants we love and support, close indefinitely was incredibly hard to process in real time. There are mass amounts of kitchen staff with idle time now and not by their own choosing. Pirates with no ships is the analogy that comes to mind. 

How did you and your team pivot shortly after to begin offering Oliver Royale meals in a new way?

To date, our entire back of house staff has been furloughed except myself and my Sous Chef. We had to pivot in a major way in a matter of hours. We are simply taking it, literally, day-by-day but we’re motivated more than ever to maintain an environment for all of our staff to come back to as soon as possible. Within a matter of days we revamped our menu to cater to customers at home with or without family, we modified our hours of operation, set-up a delivery option with DoorDash, and moved all of our communication to social media and email. 

How do you decide what meals you offer on any given day?

Our day-to-day menu offering is based on our current inventory utilization and cost effective sustainable product. For example, family style meals are able to be cooked, cooled and reheated to feed multiple people. That feels like a win for us during this time. In week 1, our Bolognese dinner was our most popular dish from the options we provided and has given us the opportunity to support Inland Seafood Co and Valley Produce along the way .My role is to do the best we can in the back of the house to ensure we’re positioning Oliver Royale the best possible. If there’s one thing we’re all learning through this transition, is that for many of us, learning how to cook and be sustainable at home is the safest option we have. 

We know how tight-knit your team is. What are ways the restaurant and Oliver Group as a whole are finding ways to support the laid off staff?

We held off as long as we could before laying off staff. Even finding ways to strategically delay the inevitable so insurance coverage was intact for another 30 days. Beyond that, we immediately implemented a grocery reimbursement program where each employee receives $100 per week to use towards their food bill. Additionally, this month we started what we’ve coined “Saturday Supper” where laid off employees can pick up a family meal, from 3p-4p, on us. Our General Manager, Sondra, has been incredible and from day one, taken it upon herself to be available to us 24/7 via phone call, text, email for any question or concerns. I really appreciate the fact that our company gave us the option to be furloughed instead of being laid-off. We’re still working on additional ways to support our staff during this time, but it absolutely feels like we’re operating as a team. 

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Thank you Chef Gatlin for keeping it real! 

It means everything to us to have your support! It’s the difference between having a chance to survive and it means we can still let some of our employees (those who feel comfortable to) continue to work. It reiterates the humongous sense of community that Knoxville holds.This city is truly like no other place a lot of us have ever experienced.

For the most up to date information, visit our site, social media, or give us a call at 865-521-0050.