Highley’s Country Kitchen opens in Flemingsburg

Pictured from left, are: Claudia Clark, Chamber Director; Kim Hester, Chamber Director; Carol Hall, cook; Kelli Copher, waitress; Tony Kinder, Peoples Bank President & CEO; Francine Reed, cook; Cathy Highley Moore, owner and her husband, Keith Moore, loyal patron; Libby Edmond, waitress; Tiffany Allison, Peoples Bank Business Development Officer; and Adam Donovan, Chamber Director. Not present at time of photo: Chrystal Richmond, waitress and Rochelle Williams, waitress

Highley’s Country Kitchen, Fleming County’s newest restaurant, opened for business last Saturday morning at a location many remember as the Whip and Sip, Sorrels or Mama’s Kitchen.

Bath County native Cathy Highley Moore is the new owner and is no stranger to the food business.

With family that has worked in restaurants her entire life, Cathy knew she was destined to follow in their footsteps.

“I was reared in the little town of Salt Lick and I grew up in the restaurant business. My aunt Dorothy Highley worked at Greens Restaurant in Salt Lick for 28 years where she did all the cooking and made all the pies from scratch. My aunt Mamie also worked at the same restaurant. When I was just a little girl aunt Dot would let me help her prepare for the lunch crowd. One of my favorite memories is helping her break beans. My dad, Don Highley, and my aunt Mamie also ran a little restaurant. My mother worked at Highley’ s Motel and operated a restaurant there, it was owned by Sodie and Espie Highley, my grandfather owned a Mill and we had Highley’ s Grocery and served deli sandwiches, plus my dad owned a secondhand furniture store, so with all that, I learned the details of operating a small business from a very early age,” Cathy said.

In later years Cathy managed Rudy’s Ranch in Salt Lick. She also managed D & H Resorts for several years in Fleming County.

But it wasn’t until recently that Cathy decided to answer the call to open her own restaurant.

“My dad always told me that I was born to have my own food business,” Cathy said. “He kept telling me I needed to come to Fleming County and start a restaurant in the building where Mary Sexton ran Mama’s Kitchen, and I’d just say oh I don’t know dad, I am just so busy with my job right now. Then after he passed away I realized my dad was right. I knew I needed to honor his memory and the legacy of my family, so that’s why I decided on the name Highley’ s Country Kitchen. I want to add some benches along the outside of the place because my dad loved to sit on an old bench and visit with his friends. I’ve added a bench in the front entrance in honor of my dad,” Cathy said.

Keeping with family tradition, Highley’s Country Kitchen will serve “homemade country cookin” and will offer plate lunches such as fried chicken, Ranch roast, soup beans, fried potatoes and cornbread, Swiss steak, and meat loaf as daily specials, along with a variety of vegetables to choose from.

The restaurant will also offer the traditional breakfast fare, a full-line grill menu, made from scratch pies such as chocolate, coconut and butterscotch and dessert items such as a jumbo Banana Split or Cathy’s Brownie Fix.

Great food coupled with an experienced staff go hand in hand when it comes to a successful restaurant.

“Francine Reed and Carol Hall will be my full-time cooks, they have worked in food all their lives. Our waitresses, Kelli Copher, Libby Edmond, Chrystal Richmond and Rochelle Williams each have several years of food service experience,” Cathy said.

The grand opening held last Saturday proved to be an enormous success as over 300 customers stopped by to welcome Cathy and her crew to Fleming County.

“We are so very humbled with the warm welcome we have already received from everyone”, Cathy said. “We look forward to becoming one of your favorite country kitchens,” she added.

For carry out orders call 606-209-0276 or to book a birthday party or special occasion.

Hours are 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily Monday through Sunday.

Highley’ s Country Kitchen is located at 756 Mt. Sterling Road in Flemingsburg, Ky.