Congratulating David Pinckney

Floor Speech

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Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, I congratulate my dear friend, chef Dave Pinckney, on his retirement from the Cherokee Country Club.

David has worked in the food industry since he was 16 years old, washing dishes at The Orangery, which was a very nice restaurant. As a matter of fact, at the time it was a 4-star restaurant in Knoxville.

Eight years later, David became the restaurant's executive chef. I went there one time with a very nice family. The Burchetts usually didn't dine at places like that. They didn't take coupons.

I was amazed to find that the menu was written in French. I was a little embarrassed, didn't know what to do, and the waiter said: Sir, the chef would like to prepare you something special.

When it came out, it was two small grilled steaks with some ketchup in the middle. It saved me from embarrassment, and I was fed. That was my dear friend, Dave Pinckney. He is a fraternity brother of mine.

My heart goes out to Dave. He just lost his dad who was a dear UT professor and was idolized by people on the UT campus and all around the State of Tennessee.

In 2006, Dave took a new job, though, as Cherokee Country Club's new executive chef, again, a country club I am not a member of.

As Jackie Gleason said: I would not join a country club that would have someone like me.

Clearly, I am not in line to be in the membership roles there.

He is known for dedicating himself to making high-quality meals and making sure every customer enjoyed the food he brings to them.

He also taught cooking classes, he helped his friends open popular restaurants of their own, and he has appeared on several TV shows to showcase his cooking skills.

The Cherokee Country Club has been lucky to have him, and I wish him well in his retirement.

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