KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville native, chef and restaurant owner Joseph Lenn is humble, kind and friendly as he works with his team to get ready for dinner service at his award-winning restaurant J.C. Holdway, near the city's Market Square.

Dinner starts at 5 p.m., but the preparation starts about eight hours earlier, especially because nearly everything at the restaurant comes from local farms and growers, and is made from scratch.

J.C. Holdway earned a spot in the newly released Michelin Guide, highlighting restaurants in the Southeast, as a recommended spot. It was also named one of this year's best restaurants nationwide by the New York Times.

For Lenn, it's an honor. He said reviewers from both places came in, had a great meal, and never identified themselves.

Getting the East Tenne

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