Get to Know the Locals ft. Jame

by | Aug 30, 2021 | Uncategorized

This month on the “Get to Know the Locals” Blog series we have an interview with the incredible family that opened Sylva’s newest restaurant, Jame! Keep reading to learn more about the inspiration behind the name, the new flavor Jame brings to Sylva, and the local family that opened this new restaurant in Jackson County.

 

Jame in Sylva, North Carolina

Q: Tell us a little bit about the faces behind Jame?

A: Jame consists of a family of three! Cecelia (the beauty and brains) the head chef with the perfect seasoning and aesthetic touch. Don, the people pleaser and FOH manager and expo on the line making sure everything looks and runs smooth! And then there’s Dante! Our 3 month old that calls ALL the shots. The main guy to please! 

 

Q: What Inspired you to open a restaurant?

A:  The main reason we decided to open Jame was because of the way the food made us feel. The fresh produce and herbs and spices always makes us feel satisfied and energized as opposed to feeling overly full and weighed down. The flavor combinations were something we felt the town of sylva would feel excited about because of a unique flavor and a complimentary option to what exists already in this town 

 

Q: How did you come up with the name Jame?

A: The name Jame started as a mock business that we didn’t expect to become a reality. The name means ‘Gatherer’ in Arabic 

 

Q: What kind of food can customers expect when ordering at Jame?

A: People can expect to get the finest quality of ingredients where nature does most of the work. Fresh produce with unique blends of seasonings herbs that is also the most aesthetically pleasing. You can smell it when you walk in the door! 

 

Q: Do you have a signature dish? And if so what is it and why?

A: It’s hard to pick a signature dish! We’ve gotten so much of our inspiration from diving deep into countries like Lebanon, Israel, Turkey and Greece and put some of our own twists on what we’ve discovered. We have so much to learn and remain continuously inspired by these countries cuisine

 

Q: What are 4 words that would describe Jame?

A: FRESH, energizing, satisfying, Clean 

 

Q: Besides working at your restaurant, what is your favorite thing to do in the Jackson County area?

A: Jackson country offers way more than just a foodie zone in the middle of the mountains. It offers nature at its finest. A bio diverse foliage, waterfalls for everyday of the year, wildflowers, hikes, fishing, and just being in seclusion. A place to be stimulated and reflective all at the same time. 

Supporting local businesses and restaurants is one of the best things we can do to nurture the growth of our community. If you would like to get a taste of the Mediterranean without traveling there, give Jame a try next time you are in Sylva.

Jame is located at 648 W. Main Street in Sylva, North Carolina.

All photos taken by Luke Vanhine