Dalton Jones is a Private Chef, ready to make your evening an unforgettable memory with personalized menus and delightful cuisine. Known as Dalty Cooks, Jones offers in-home cooking lessons, meal prep, and private dinners.
Growing up, Jones spent a lot of time in the kitchen with his Dad, frying chicken, pickling veggies, and preparing authentic Southern meals. Together they used to watch Emeril Lagasse, an American celebrity chef. Legasse inspired to become a chef: “It was like being a rockstar! But I understood food, and I knew how to cook, and it seemed a lot less intimidating than trying to play the guitar,” Jones jokes.
Jones lived in large cities for the first part of his career working in professional kitchens. But moving to Durango “felt like coming home and being back where I belonged,” Jones said. Growing up in Taos, New Mexico, Jones values small-town connections. Like seeing a familiar face at the grocery store and saying hello, or stopping at a light and chatting up the car beside you.
When people often think of Southern cuisine, they may envision fried chicken, grits, or collard greens, but Southern cuisine has a deep pickling and preservation culture due to their abundant harvests. “I try to take a lot of inspiration from those flavors… and Southern food tastes good.” He highlights, “It’s like 90% of the battle. If I can make it smell good, taste good, and I’m not weird in a stranger’s house, then we’re pretty much good to go – Golden!”
If you would like to reach out to Jones, make an inquiry on his website. He’s happy to collaborate with you to make your event an impeccable experience and cherished memory.
Kristen Johnston, the owner of Nourish, has created a unique business concept focusing on meals with high protein and macros. Johnston and her family wanted to offer healthy fast food in Durango that is focused on actual ingredients and whole foods. Each meal is made with at least four ounces of protein leaving you feeling satiated and satisfied for hours. These include chicken pasta, hamburger bowls, cajun shrimp with rice, steak bites, and more! We can’t forget about the sweet treats and snacks. Check out their cinnamon roll energy bites and peanut butter crunch balls.
“We want to be the go-to for healthy fast food so that people are able to meet their nutritional needs while being on the go,” said Johnston. Her team also understands that not everyone is in a rush and may prefer a bit of downtime when enjoying a meal so they built a dine-in area as well.
Johnston is currently communicating with a local farmer who will supply Nourish’s produce starting next summer. All of their beef and pork is sourced locally from Road 39 Ranch in Mancos, Colorado.
One of Nourish’s goals in the future is to be 100% organic. They also hope to sell their meals around town. Stop by to explore the variety of meals, meal plan options, and more!
A beautiful blend of two passions, The Camp Town Ladies sell homemade baked goods and hand crafted tea blends. Charissa Stradling and Holly Harrison first met as coworkers, quickly became close friends, and are now business partners!
Stradling is the baker of the duo, and is best known for her “Dirt Bombs” and homemade scones. She also bakes seasonal pies, turnovers, and more. Her flavors vary depending on the season. This summer she used fresh palisade peaches, lemons, and rosemary for her scones. She also bakes cookies, “I make a vegan gluten-free cookie and I think I landed it!” she said. A recipe too brilliant to share, you’ll have to ask her about it next week at the farmers market!
Harrison, the tea connoisseur and owner of Sundrop Tea Company, can be found behind a large bowl blending herbs: “It’s kind of like alchemy…When I am creating a blend, I just think of things that would taste good, I mix it up, and I add stuff, so it feels kinda like I am creating a potion.” Her iced teas have been a big hit this summer, especially Purple Fields and Tulsi Rose Chai.
Stradling and Harrison both work in the restaurant industry and were craving creative outlets. Stradling said, “We decided, let's do something that we both like to do, and do it together.” And thus the Camp Town Ladies were born! Two best friends sharing their passions with one another and enjoying the journey together.
Holly Harrison has immense gratitude our supportive tight-knit community and the beaming opportunity, "Once you learn how to do all of these things, like run a business, you can do anything. Especially in this town. It’s very specific to being here in Durango."