Sweet Grown Alabama Blogs

Here at Sweet Grown Alabama, we're excited to welcome our inaugural group of "Sweet Grown Alabama Ambassadors." This class of ambassadors will help us promote Alabama farmers on their respective social media pages. Get to know Kathy Phillips, of Kathy's Southern Kitchen, who delights followers with southern recipe videos from Dothan. 

1. Who is Kathy Phillips?

I’m a Southeast Alabama girl, born in Dothan and it’s where my husband and I call home. I was taught at an early age to love and appreciate the bountiful land we have here in the Wiregrass. My ancestors have farmed and raised cattle in this area for generations.

2. How did you begin your cooking journey? 

Some of my earliest and fondest memories of cooking are in the kitchen with my mother and grandmothers. Many times that involved preparing things that were harvested from their farms. I learned how to make anything from boiled peanuts to Beef Wellington. Later in my adult years, I cooked professionally. I created recipes for a Texas based company and taught the art of cooking and easy entertaining. Fast forward to the present… I’m still teaching others through the venue of social media. I share recipes that have been passed down from my ancestors along with simple, delicious creations of my own.

4. What draws you to locally grown products?

First of all, I'm a firm believer that local products are the freshest and best products. And, they taste so good! Second, my grandparents were farmers and I know first hand the hard work and effort that's put into growing bountiful crops. As a consumer, I believe that purchasing locally grown products is a way of giving back to our local farmers and community. 

5. Where’s your favorite spot in Alabama?

We have a small cabin near Andalusia and it's our home away from home. It's nestled deep in the woods along the Patsaliga Creek. We have a sign over our front door that says Happy Place. And, that it is! I've always loved the outdoors, so spending time on our property always brings life full circle for me. 

6. Do you prefer visiting a u-pick farm or buying the products pre-picked? 

If I have to choose, I would say pre-picked. I love nothing better than going and picking my own products, but life can get busy and I don't always have time for that. So, I enjoy the convenience of having the items pre-picked. But, with that being said, it's always nice to have the option to do both. I love taking the grandkids to pick fresh fruit and vegetables. Not only is it a fun outing, it's a great teaching moment. 

Make sure you follow Kathy's Southern Kitchen on Facebook and YouTube to find your own inspiration for cooking local ingredients! 

Facebook: Kathy's Southern Kitchen
YouTube: Kathy's Southern Kitchen