Allan Benton’s Friends of Distinction

Allan Benton, owner of Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams, says, “When you’re doing business with great chefs, you must be doing something right.” Here are a few of the celebrated chefs who love Benton’s hams and bacon. He’s especially appreciative of John Fleer, saying, “I could never give him enough credit” for recognizing the quality of Benton’s products. He adds, “I owe an incredible debt of gratitude to so many people who helped spread the word about my products.”

The list is a who's who of culinary distinction.

John Fleer
A native of Winston-Salem, NC, Fleer was named one of the “Rising Stars of the 21st Century” by the James Beard Foundation and is a three-time finalist for the James Beard “Best Chef in the Southeast” award.

Inspired by the “culture of food” he experienced in Venice while a Religion and Philosophy major at Duke University, Fleer began his culinary career humbly, working in kitchens as a way to pay for graduate school. His passion ignited, Fleer enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America. Following a fellowship at one of the Culinary Institute’s restaurants and a stint as personal chef to Mary Tyler Moore, Fleer joined Blackberry Farm, where he served as Executive Chef from 1992 until 2007. His unique “foothills cuisine” is said to wander the line between refined and rustic.

Tom Colicchio
Tom Colicchio was awarded his first three stars from the New York Times as executive chef of Mondrian. Since then he has seen similar acclaim for Gramercy Tavern (with Danny Meyer), his signature venture Craft (2002), and Colicchio & Sons (2010), all in New York. Craft was awarded The James Beard Foundation Award for “Best New Restaurant” in 2002, the same year Colicchio received The Bon Appétit American Food and Entertaining Award for “Chef of the Year.” The New York Times revisited Craft in September 2011, ten years after its debut, upholding its three stars and stating that the restaurant is “as magical and delicious as it was when it opened.” (Photo credit: Pinterest)

David Chang
David Chang is an American restaurateur, author, and television personality. He is the founder of the Momofuku restaurant group, which includes the recognized Momofuku Noodle Bar and 10 other celebrated restaurants. Chang attended Georgetown Prep and then Trinity College, where he majored in religious studies. He later attended the French Culinary Institute (now known as the International Culinary Center) in New York City. Chang recently launched a chain of fast food restaurants specializing in fried chicken sandwiches, Fuku, and will soon launch his first digital-only restaurant, which will offer a menu only for delivery at home, with orders taken via an app. Photo credit: Science and Food, UCLA