Nestled in the rolling hills of Maury County, in the heart of Columbia, Tennessee, is Graymere Country Club. The private club, established in 1924, has a rich history of elegance and tradition. Last December, Nic Jones was named General Manager at the Club, bringing over 25 years of experience in hospitality, including roles in hotels, country clubs, restaurants, wineries, and farms.

Jones studied at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles in 2001 before completing the Accelerated Wine and Beverage Program (AWBP) at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in 2012. The following year, he earned his CertifiedSommelier credentials through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2013.

Since earning his culinary degree, Jones has worked across the country alongside some of the world’s most esteemed chefs and restaurateurs, including Wolfgang Puck of Spago, Hollywood, and Stephen Barber of Farmstead, Napa Valley. His diverse experience spans restaurant consulting and kitchen design throughout Napa Valley, Los Angeles, Southwest Virginia, and the Nashville area. As sous chef at Farmstead, Jones played a key role in developing one of Napa Valley’s most influential charcuterie programs.

In addition to his impressive hospitality and culinary expertise, Jones has over 12 years of experience in farming and agriculture. As Executive Chef at Goose & Gander in St. Helena, California, he managed and cultivated a two-acre farm, ensuring a steady supply of fresh, locally grown ingredients for the restaurant. Throughout his career, Jones has received numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious title of Best Chef, Napa Valley 2021.

After relocating to Columbia in 2021, Jones founded Hen House Hospitality, where he served as Director of Operations, managing the company’s farm-to-table restaurant, food truck, catering service, and restaurant consulting division. Now, with a distinguished career behind him, Jones brings his wealth of hospitality experience, deep appreciation for fine wine, and passion for wholesome cooking to Graymere Country Club.

As a private club, several membership options are available, offering golf and social benefits. The Full Golf Membership is available to individuals aged 40 and older, and the Junior Golf Membership is for those aged 21 to 39. Both offer access to the golf course, all club facilities, and amenities. The Social and Dining Memberships are perfect for non-golfers. The Social Membership grants admission to the club’s facilities and amenities, including the pool, tennis courts, clubhouse, dining rooms, and various social-related events. The Dining Membership is ideal for individuals seeking a variety of dining and social experiences. This membership provides access to the Clubhouse dining rooms and bar, as well as invitations to all dining and social events. However, it does not include access to the golf course, pool, or tennis courts.

Given Jones’s culinary passion and expertise, it’s no surprise he may be a bit partial to the Dining and Social Memberships. Jones and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Grotheer collaborate to create culinary magic. Jones explained, “Our chef is fantastic, and I think we have some of the best food in town. I work closely with Chef to ensure the quality of the food is of the highest standard. We discuss the specials, and I offer him ideas, but he’s the one who finalizes the menu and prepares the food. I’m not back in the kitchen; I’m managing the club’s day-to-day operations, making the experience the best I can for the members.”

Chef Grotheer grew up in Louisiana, which lends his dishes considerable versatility. “One day it may be great Asian food, the next day Mexican, but Chef’s New Orleans influenced food really shines,” said Jones. “New Orleans classics like Salmon Pontchartrain and his Gumbo is the best!”  The menu changes quarterly to ensure seasonal freshness and culinary creativity, offering members a range of delicious options to look forward to.

Jones aims to craft a premier dining experience at the Club, featuring exceptional wine, cuisine, and high-quality service. The Dining and Social Memberships offer just that. As a perk of being a member of a private club, the menu is affordable and offers excellent value, complemented by the high level of service you expect in Nashville. “I don’t think people realize how affordable the dining only option is at the Club when compared to going out to dinner,” said Jones. “If you go out to dinner a couple times a month, it’s worth it. The Dining and Social memberships are very affordable, so why not come get the best food in town?”

For additional information on memberships, visit graymerecc.com/join or call (931) 388-4455. For businesses looking to entertain clients, the Club offers Corporate Memberships, and prorated memberships are available to Junior Golf and Junior Social members ages 21-39 years old. Join Graymere today and make it your home away from home!

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