The Family Legacy Continues

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: May 2024

Angela Lundy and Kristyn Smith

Tim Lundy and his Rosewood Market were big players in the Plateau social scene, ever since he bought the Market and catering business in 1999. Part of that fame was a result of Tim’s effervescent personality and his showman’s instincts for staging just the right event. Part of it was the Market’s ever-changing and always fresh menu, a delicious blend of old favorites and new sensations.

When Tim passed away last year, local foodies (this writer included) hoped Rosewood Market could maintain that easy charm and certain seduction of the palate.

Well, no need to fret – Rosewood Market is now owned by Tim’s daughter Kristyn and his sister Angela.

Kristyn learned every aspect of the restaurant/catering business from her father, and Angela has always been in the kitchen, ensuring that everything is running smoothly.

“I have been with Rosewood all of these years working closely with Tim and have learned a lot under his direction,” says Angela.

“As soon as I was old enough, I began working in Rosewood and helping to set up events,” says Kristyn. “Once I graduated high school, I started working and leading catered events. I even worked for several years as our dedicated pastry chef but stepped away to be a full-time homeschool mom.”

I saw all this up close when I worked at a few of their catered events in the early 2000s.

Tim was clearly the majordomo at these affairs – meticulous in their planning and execution, somehow managing to be everywhere, yet never breaking into a sweat.
And sure enough, Angela would be working in the kitchen, like one of those frantic plate spinners from the old Ed Sullivan Show, smiling and somehow making it all look easy.

“Tim was out in front, but I was the one who kept everything organized,” says Angela. “I started working with him in 1983 – I was the sous chef at his restaurant in Mobile, Alabama. When he moved to Atlanta to start his catering and event business, I went to work for General Electric. He asked me to come up here and be his kitchen manager and I came here in May 2000.”

That close-knit family connection has always been at the heart of Rosewood Market’s deep appeal.

“My grandfather worked with us after retiring from his 39-year career as a car salesman in 2000 and moved in with Angie that year,” says Kristyn. “He stayed on staff until he passed away in 2012. We have also employed a multitude of cousins/nieces and nephews, my husband, my mother, my son. We hired a new front-of-house gal last season and she said ‘I like working here. It’s like a big family,’ which is exactly how we want our employees and our customers to feel.”

(I can attest to that – in a visit I made three years ago, I noted how customers had started waiting outside 30 minutes before the place opened so that they could snag that famous fried chicken before it vanished. And then, once the doors opened, the atmosphere was boisterous and warm and a delight from both sides of the counter.)

So see, though it has new owners, Angela and Kristyn are devoted to maintaining that warm connection Rosewood Market has cultivated over the last 24 years.

And that devotion has translated to the menu, too.

“We want our customers to eat the way we eat,” says Kristyn. “And my husband would tell you that we eat exceptionally well.

“We would like to grow our customer base, but we’ll never forget our loyal customers. One of the changes that we’ve instituted has been met enthusiastically by both has been offering hot lunch. Our regulars have pounced on this and it’s attracted a new set of patrons.”

“Another fun addition to our repertoire is picnic basket rentals. I am currently in the process of sourcing all the needed accoutrements for the most fantastic outdoor adventures. They will be totally customizable.”

Speaking of new directions, Rosewood Market is partnering with a local venue (Satolah Creek Farm) and a local North Carolina Meadery (Honeygirl out of Durham) on May 19 and offering a Mead & Food Tasting. It’ll feature five varieties of mead paired with five small plates of food.

“Lastly, when it comes to catering, we are offering anything from a private chef for a party of two on up to a catered event for 150,” says Kristyn

Oh, and I mentioned Rosewood Market’s now legendary fried chicken earlier – Angela still makes it in small batches on Saturdays (and Wednesdays, too, after Memorial Day). Your best gambit is to order your chicken ahead of time to make sure you’re not disappointed if you get there too late on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Rosewood Market is open Wednesday through Saturday and is located at 117 Franklin Road in Highlands (adjoining the Citgo Station). You can stop in and pick up something for a meal or a snack; or you can call ahead at (828) 526-0383 to order something special to go, or to set up a catered event. You can also contact them through Instagram @rosewood.market.highlands; rosewoodmarketnc.com, or email [email protected].