Knoxville man spices up business world

Gordon Bruner is passionate about two things.

"Two of my favorite things in life is cooking and feeding friends."

In fact, he was cooking and dreaming up recipes one day when he starting joking with his buddy about starting his own food company.

"We were sitting around a campfire on a hunt," he says. "I told Tom if I ever start one, I said, 'I would just name it after you."'

Fifteen years later, Gordon kept his promise. He started a line of signature rubs, sauces, and seasonings, named after his best friend of 25 years, Papaw Tom.

"Tom is just a dear friend, I just love him with all my heart and soul," Gordon says. "It made me proud to be able to fulfill my promise and see this things come through."

While Papaw Tom makes for a good brand and model, Gordon still does all the cooking. His inventory includes more than 60 items, with names like "Stick to Your Ribs Rub," "PaPaw Tom's Butt Rub," and "Headin' to the Creek Hot Sauce."

"Because it's so hot you'll have to go to the creek," Gordon laughs.

Aside from Papaw Tom's signature sauces and rubs, his line of food products includes all of the down-home southern favorites.

"We have jellies and jam, and preserves and butter, and pickles, got all kinds of grilling sauces and marinades."

With more than 60 different products in his inventory, Papaw Tom's thinking outside of the box with his "Get Your Butt in Shape Kit." It's a recipe for grilling pork.

"It'll have the directions for how to make a Papaw Tom butt the Papaw Tom way," he says.

For now, PaPaw Tom's is drumming up business though internet sales. But, here's from a man who keeps his promise.

"You are gonna see this in the stores," Gordon says.  

For more information on PaPaw Tom's visit www.papawtomfoods.com