Soon after it opened in 2012,
Donovan's Dish quickly became popular for the food that Chef TJ Donovan served up at catered events. Within four years, the successful catering company had opened a retail space in Apex where people could pick up meals for their own families.
But, less than a week after the Apex Take Out Market opened, tragedy struck. TJ passed away unexpectedly, leaving his wife, Jill, with a thriving business and three young daughters to raise. Today, Jill is running - and growing - the business on her own. Donovan's Dish now has two Take Out Markets in Apex and north Raleigh's Brier Creek, along with a popular catering business and other offerings.
I checked in with Jill, who also owns the two
Jill's Beach locations in the area, to learn more about her business and her family. Here's a Q&A.
Go Ask Mom: Tell us the story behind Donovan's Dish. It seems like it was the perfect melding of your entrepreneurial interests and your husband TJ's skills.
Jill Donovan: TJ was the chef at a local catering company when we met. I always wanted to operate a wedding venue but I don’t cook and being from up north, all venues offer in-house catering, so I kind of back burnered that dream. When I met TJ, it was clear that not only had I met my future husband, I also met my future business partner. We were set to buy the catering company he worked for, but at the 11th hour the deal fell through, so TJ quit and Donovan’s Dish was born! We started renting commissary space in Durham in 2012. We would host tastings in our home for potential clients and ran the business out of our house. We were very well received and quickly outgrew our Durham commissary and moved to a large kitchen space in Cary. TJ always wanted the retail aspect for the company.
At events, guests would always ask him where they could get his food. We had lots of requests for a restaurant, but we wanted a family and to not have to work every weekend and holiday. We searched for and found our current space in Apex. It already had a storefront, a kitchen, and a large space for offices and catering wares, it was a perfect fit!
GAM: TJ passed away suddenly in 2016 and very soon after your third child was born. How has Donovan's Dish helped to continue his legacy and helped you in the grieving process?
JD: I believe 100% that TJ’s universe was lining everything up for me and the girls to be able to continue to thrive after his passing. We had just purchased our dream home, had our third daughter, signed a five-year lease on the Apex location and opened our first Take Out Market. TJ passed away just four days after opening the Market. He cooked and filled every shelf in that Market and set the standard for what would be a large part of our business. We had a location, a new kitchen and a team of chefs who had worked under him. It never crossed my mind to close up shop.
His passing made his passion my passion. He was such a hard worker and all his hard work gave me an opportunity to continue on and support our family.
After he passed I was the recipient of a meal train. Every day for two months people would drop off dinner for 10 at my door. It was the biggest help at that time. There are really no words for how special that was to me or how much it lifted me.
When I returned to work, I launched Dish to Door. I felt like anyone going through loss or a life change would also appreciate someone taking care of dinner for them and their family; something so simple has such a huge impact. The intention was for people to send dinner to those in need of support or for celebrations like a baby or new home. We actually feed so many more than that. We feed many seniors their dinners every night, as well as working families and empty nesters. It’s been a wonderful thing to build. I love, really love, reading the gift messages when someone does send the gift of food. It just makes everything kind of click and have purpose.
GAM: You're a catering company, but more. Tell us about everything you offer.
JD: We are a full-service catering company for weddings and events as well as private homes and delivery. Our Take Out Markets feature all our menu items available fresh or frozen. And we operate a full website where all the Market items can be ordered for home or office delivery, that’s Dish to Door.
GAM: What are some of your most popular meals and dishes?
JD: Our most popular dishes are still TJ’s recipes. We call them our Signature dishes. We are best known for “Chef TJ’s Famous Shrimp & Grits” it is by far our most popular event food. Our Braised Short Ribs, Beef Brisket Stroganoff, Pimento Cheese Stuffed Chicken and our Lasagnas are all top Market and Dish to Door sellers.
GAM: What's your hope for the future of Donovan's Dish?
JD: I would love to continue to grow the catering as well as Dish to Door and the Take Out Markets. I am really focused on achieving the dream of the venue. I don’t have my partner any more, but he left behind a legacy that allows me to still fulfill our dreams.
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