We had the good fortune of connecting with Brett Swayn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brett, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We had an outreach to, at its maximum, 110 approximate homeless men every Wednesday and Saturday night. For 6 years. We developed relationships. But we never saw a true exodus of men from that situation. We decided to start a free culinary program for those amongst poor and hurting, that involved free housing and healing discipleship lifestyle.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2002 I came to Nashville after a spiritual conversion. I experienced the effects and lifestyle of homelessness. It became what I call my ‘school of compassion’. During that time, a fellow came to the mission from Flemings Prime Steakhouse and offered me a job. I began working and quickly ascended the ranks until achieving Sous Chef position. I worked there for 8 years. During which time we still connected and served the poor through ministry outreaches and friendships. We started a homeless outreach shelter with Pastor Ray DeVries at Woodbine Cumberland Presbyterian Church. That lasted 6 years. We saw lives being touched, but there was no vehicle that was changing circumstance. SO we decided to start the Cookery. A culinary arts program that seeks to aid in restoring lives while teaching the tool of culinary. While also being a housing and restoration life program. The Cookery opened officially in 2013.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Cookery. The churches. Radner Lake. Family. Downtown.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife Merari and my little daughter Aria, who walk this with me, who have lived it and groan with its creation. Pastor Ray and Momma Pat Devries. All the staff at the Cookery without whom, this wouldn’t work or have evolved. In particular Scotty Drumm and Bruce Bolen. Linda and Tom Toser, who have been there from the beginning. Terry Kemper who started it with us. All the fantastic Board members who have helped us to grow Lambscroft Ministries, which is the parent Non Profit Umbrella of all things we do Cookery and ministry related. Tim and Becky Garrett, Mark and Becky Peterson, Randy and Dawn Gannon, Stuart and Angela Beaton, Jim and Laurie Robinson, Stephen and Carolyn Coe. Alex Hartfelder.

Website: the cookery.org

Facebook: The Cookery Nashville

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