Out to Lunch with Payton: Food for the Soul
Welcome back foodies!
Last week we got our sweet tooth fix fulfilled and celebrated the 10th anniversary of Sugar Fix Bakery. This week we are having a seat at Around the Table for some of Ashland’s most soulful dishes.
By: Payton Kifus
Owners and cousins, Ammie Derricot and Kelly Jackson, have been running Around the Table since April 1, 2021. For the past four years, the two have successfully combined Derricot’s culinary skills and Jackson’s background in business to make a space that welcomes all as family.
Before opening around the table, Derricot worked several various jobs, including nursing and construction, searching for her niche that would keep her inspired.
“I didn’t know what my knack was, what is it that keeps a person on a job forever, until I started cooking,” said Derricot.
Derricot gained a wealth of experience working in the food industry at Ashland’s own Iron Horse Restaurant for 15 years, was the head chef at Southern Soul Café and was a pastry chef for 20 years at Randolph-Macon College.
“My vision was to have my own,” said Derricot.
According to Derricot, her uncle had encouraged her to make the leap and bring her vision to life. However, it was not an easy feat at first.
“I allowed fear to stop me,” said Derricot. “So, when COVID hit, the job at the college went furloughed, that’s when I say I was at my rock bottom moment.”
As a woman of faith, Derricot gives credit to "blessings from God" for finding an available restaurant space with a pre-installed range hood, a cooking exhaust system that is often one of the most expensive installations for a working restaurant kitchen.
As Derricot was securing the space, Jackson offered her support and business knowledge to assist throughout the process.
“I’m not the type of person that needs the whole pie,” said Derricot. “I was like, I need a business partner, and I chose Kelly Jackson, because she was the one that offered that support for me. ‘I got you, whatever you need, I have your back.’”
Together, the duo created a booming business with well-loved dishes that were able to speak for themselves, bringing in large parties of hungry customers frequently.
“This has always been my dream, and it feels like it’s a dream. It’s like reality still hasn’t hit me yet,” said Derricot. “I just take it one day at a time; I love people, I love family. That’s why when my cousin and I were brainstorming what I can name it, Around the Table, that’s where friends and family gather.”
This love for her community is evident in her leadership and her customer service. Derricot strives to treat each person that walks through her doors like a loved one, taking the time to greet each guest personally, going out of her way to learn names and to get to know those at her tables.
Derricot's skills go beyond the kitchen, she has created a welcoming, positive community space that is reflected in how many regulars keep coming back for her home cooked meals and warm personality that honors her motto, ‘There’s a seat for everyone at Ammie’s table.’
The youngest of 13 children, Ammie lost both of her parents when she was young and was raised by her aunt. Given that there were so many people, it was hard to gather all together at once often.
“There really was never that time [to be] around the table with family, but my grandmother on my dad’s side, she was all about the family thing, family dinners and so forth and coming to the table on Sundays after church for dinner,” said Derricot.
Derricot’s love of people and community has enabled her to pick up on the little details of what her community wants/needs like, creating a monthly event to bring local seniors together for lunch and games.
“It’s that family touch. I want you to feel like you’re at home, we care, you matter,” said Derricot.
People from all over the United States, and even guests from France and England, have come to try Derricot’s southern soul food creations.
“Business is growing, we are here and we’re elevating,” said Derricot. “It’s going in a fast pace, we have certain days where people have to wait for seats, and I still only have a handful of people that work here with us. A great group of people that we consider family, but the sky’s the limit.”
Recently, Around the Table was nominated for the 2025 BLK RVA Rising Community Impact Award, an award that recognizes growing Black businesses, individuals or initiatives that have been recently established and ‘represent the vibrant and innovative future of Black Richmond.’
“We’re excited about that because that tells us somebody is watching us, somebody is cheering for us and they’re rooting for us,” said Derricot. “It’s a great feeling, and sometimes it can be a little overwhelming, but I constantly thank god for the blessing and the gift.”
The review of the highlights
Percy’s Pork Chops were the best pork chops I’ve ever had and completely live up to their high demand, as Derricot noted this dish often runs out fast. The meat was super tender and fell right off the bone with barely the touch of a fork. The gravy on top was well-seasoned, but not too salty. The onions were cooked well, not mushy, and brought a slight sweetness that balanced the salt and savoriness of the meat and gravy.
Fried Okra was a top tier highlight for me. The okra was cooked perfectly with a soft inside and crispy fried outside. They were prepared and fried in popcorn-like form making this the perfect snackable starter/side.
Granny Sarah’s Spoonbread was a dish that was new to me and did not disappoint. The bread was fluffy and buttery like cake with a sweet vanilla flavor. This was delicious and a must-try when visiting for me.
Overall, I would highly recommend checking out Around the Table in Ashland, Va. For comforting southern soul food and staff that makes you feel like you belong at their table.
