The City of Columbia is pleased to announce that Durrett Test Kitchen has chosen our town for their new location. They will be moving their corporate offices to Columbia, Kentucky; and, be opening manufacturing operations.

The owners, Chef Barry Durrett and his wife, LeAnne, from neighboring Greensburg are excited about moving their business to Columbia. Their location will be at property owned by Downey Properties LLC on Campbellsville Road.

According to Chef Durrett, “Our move to Columbia is largely due to the hard work of Mayor Hoots; and, her team at the City; as well as Dr. Max Downey and his wife, Patricia, owners of Downey Properties LLC.”

The plants will be manufacturing sandwiches, pot pies, and be in the process of development of further design of meals and packaging. The plants will be FDA approved (United States Food and Drug Administration); and, will be making application for USDA inspection as well. The plants will be Kentucky Proud through Kentucky Agriculture and SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified.

“We will be running production lines; and, have a full test kitchen on-site,” says Durrett. 
The plant is anticipating to hire around fifty people from the local community at a very competitive wage. “We aim to be the employer that people want to work for; but, have to wait for a position to become available,” said Durrett.

Chef Durrett has travelled throughout the country in participation in national culinary competitions. His many awards include: the 2019 American Pie Council National Pie Contest, Blue Ribbon Pizza Pot Pie, Blue Ribbon Chicken Pot Pie, and Commercial Division First Place. 

“We are proud to be doing business in Columbia, Kentucky,” said Durrett. “We are looking forward to being a part of the community.”

The company plans on being in production in the near future following modification necessary for their business. Applications for hiring will be announced soon.