—  What People are saying…  —

“Jim throws the biggest and best dinner parties I’ve ever seen in my life.  I recommend you go online and take a look.  His parties are legendary!” - Debbie Matenopoulos, Host of “Home & Family” on Hallmark Channel; original co-host of “The View”

“Jim’s attention to detail is amazing.  My Aurora shoe is not an easy one to recreate, and Jim did it out of sugar!!!!  From one shoe lover to another…Bravo!” - Brian Atwood, World Renowned American Shoe Designer

“I have never seen anyone as creative as Jim in the kitchen.  There’s only one word that I can use to describe his incredible talent, “ROCKSTAR”. - TG Sheppard, Country Music Legend/Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Top Country Artists”

“A certain charm resonates when you think of southern living and disposition, but Jim really takes that fond familiarity and catapults it to a whole new realm.  Strikingly bold, creative, dashing, gracious and fun, Jim adds innovation to tradition, and fosters a whole new sentiment to Southern Hospitality.” - Montel Williams, Host of  “The Montel Williams Show”; Author/Speaker

“From baking cakes with exquisite detailed designer flare, to presenting the most gorgeous table decor and taking every dish he prepares up ten nothces, Jim absolutely amazes me!” - Kelly Lang, Award Winning Singer/Songwriter

“Jim is a natural, and his instinct and timing in front of the camera is spot on.  I have no doubt Jim will have a big career in this industry.” - Lawrence Zarian, On-Camera Lifestyle & Fashion Host/Expert/Author

Jim Norton has emerged on the entertaining scene as a “triple threat” and the true definition of a lifestyle expert. With more than 400 “over the top” dinner parties under his belt, this charming, funny host, celebrity chef and master of home entertaining is a regular guest on Hallmark Channel’s “Home and Family” show, and a Culinary Contributor to At Home Memphis & Mid South magazine.

 As founder of “The Norton Recipe,” Jim strives to share his amazing recipes using familiar ingredients with an elevated twist - all while encouraging and guiding even the most reluctant cook.

 Norton has entertained the likes of celebrities such as Jane Seymour, Montel Williams, Christian Siriano, Brenda Lee & James Keach, just to name a few. “I have never seen anyone as creative as Jim in the kitchen. There’s only one way I can describe his incredible talent – ROCK STAR,” raves Jim’s friend & country music legend, T.G. Sheppard.

An interior designer by trade, Jim has an affinity for the details, making his parties both memorable and spectacular! His extravagant tablescapes are often adorned with fresh flowers cut from his garden, along with candles, crystal and antique china. Such scenes complement “Oakmont” – the historic Jackson, Tennessee estate he shares with his partner of nearly 20 years, Robert Walden.

A self-taught cook who grew up in California, Norton spent much of his childhood in the kitchen with his Southern-born mother and grandmother. At age 20, he packed his bags, left Sonoma County & moved to Nashville – chasing his dream to become a country music star. While living in a low-rent, one bedroom apartment and sleeping on a 99-cent air mattress, Jim picked up any gig he could in “Music City,” eventually teaching dance lessons at some of Nashville’s hottest spots, such as the Wildhorse Saloon. Norton laughs, “It’s no wonder that most of our dinner parties end with our guests two-stepping around the table!”

When he’s not hosting or in the kitchen, Norton can be found sharing his talents as a singer, or curating home décor items for “Hoity Toity,” the retail space he co-owns with Walden. In his home community, Jim serves as chairman of the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Charity Gala, an annual event that generates nearly a quarter of a million dollars. He also hosts the pre-Gala Patrons’ Party at Oakmont for 250 guests each year.