Blue Southern Comfort, located at 1173 Louisiana Ave., is a dream-come-to-life for Carolyn Manning.

Blue was born out of a tough season for Manning; in her mid-50s, she found herself starting over with a failed business and marriage behind her.

She said, “When you start over, you can do anything you want. My dream was to serve people food that made them feel loved.”

Manning’s fascination with the culinary arts was fostered as a child in an unusual way; growing up in a military family, she lived all over the world and was introduced to many diverse food styles through her friendships with military wives. She started in the local catering arena with Korean and Thai cuisine and still features dishes from that background in her cooking classes.

After creating her successful catering business, Manning moved into the second phase of her dream job: a permanent location. 

She said she strategically picked her property on Louisiana Avenue because she could afford it and recruited friends and family to fix it up before opening it to the public. 

Manning said, “There is a lot of love in these walls – this restaurant is the result of so much love from so many people.”

She opened the doors in June 2013 with $74 in the bank. 

Within weeks, she was pulling in a profit, thanks to her true blue comfort food and devoted service. Serving locally sourced ingredients, Manning re-creates the lunch-only menu every day, and everything is made in-house. 

From homestyle classics like pulled pork over cheese grits and barbecue with homemade sauce, to her signature Blue burger, complete with bacon jam, each item is clearly made with love by a deft hand. 

Manning also emphasizes fresh veggies and consistently offers vegetarian and gluten-free menu selections, attracting a health-conscious crowd alongside her burger-loving folks. And everyone can enjoy her renowned desserts – cheesecakes, Italian cream cakes and butterscotch pies are at the top of the list for must-tries in town. 

Manning credits her immediate success to her community of supporters and to the gift of social media. 

The grassroots reviews passed around town via word of mouth, Twitter and local entertainment bloggers continue to grow her guest list. 

Manning has plans to take her little restaurant outside in the spring with an enclosed side-yard featuring the current fire pit and picnic tables, creating another space for events and gatherings.

Manning continues to offer her catering services for corporate events, private parties, weddings and community events. She also hosts planned gatherings in the restaurant, including birthdays and family events. 

Another facet of her multi-dimensional business is her newest venture: cooking classes. 

Offered to parties of six to 15, these classes give participants a chance to get familiar with basics like knife skills and sauce building, as well as learn a full meal’s menu, based either on the group’s requests or a menu set by Manning. At the end of the lesson, the group breaks out their bottles of wine and enjoys the fruits of their labor. These classes attract mixed groups of all ages  and provide a fun, creative night out.

The facets of her business join together in a common goal: to provide a second home for friends and family, old and new. 

Manning said, “I want people to feel like they’ve stepped into their grandma’s kitchen and she is waiting to take care of them, with those good smells and special foods.” 

Blue Southern Comfort, and Manning’s “do-over,” as she calls it, has fostered a new community gathered around food and fellowship and given Manning the life she dreamed.

To find out more about Blue Southern Comfort’s events, menu and details, find them on Facebook or call 216-5327.