Our History

"...RESPECT and STRONG BACK-BREAK WORK UP TO 22 HOURS STRAIGHT, seven days a week will bring order and change to this beautiful property"...  "The rooms can be painted in the Certified Biltmore Estate schemes while the landscaping can be done with additions brought from the Biltmore Horticultural Collection."  INTELLIGENCE...  "Green solar power, sustainable herb and vegetable gardens with barrel rain collection will provide responsible business respect...  CFL Bulb conversion from incandescent & composting are important.  We can even utilize concentrated laundry detergents, green works cleaning solutions and encourage multiple night guests to reuse towels."
                                                                                        Martin & Stormy Mongiello - 2007 Planning Committee

♦ B & B home ♦ A man of ideas & dreams  ♦ Town of Grover, NC  ♦ Cleveland County, NC

♦ Congressman Lt. Colonel Hambright / Hambrecht legacy:
A German/Philadelphia/Pennsylvania family and
Scrapple/Livermush/Liver Pudding lovers from Lancaster, PA
The most famed Hambrecht in American history
~

Just a few Marti has had the honor to serve and care for

The Bed and Breakfast... An idea had and developed in 2007 by Curator and Executive Director of Museum, Martin CJ Mongiello.  A 100-page business plan was written and subsequently sold to Business Plan Pro after they requested to publish it, worldwide.  This marks the third time Marti has sold a written business plan to Palo Alto Press, created and crafted from inside of his mind.  He has designed numerous resorts, hotels and restaurants, worldwide while living in America, Japan and Belgium.  In 2006, Marti designed and sold two restaurant plans for publishing to Palo Alto Press.  His plans, like the B & B, get funded each day - in dozens of countries and can be purchased for $85.00 at Staples, Office Max, Best Buy, Office Depot and Target - just to name a few outlets near you. 

This project was approved for Small Business Administration (SBA) financing under the capped two million dollar program of 7a backing through Self Help Bank, the number one lender of SBA loans in the state of North Carolina.  Business Plan Pro is run by president and founder of Palo Alto Software, co-founder of Borland International, author of books and software on business planning, Stanford MBA, father of five, married 38 years - Tim Berry.  Marti has been a long-term proponent of Mr. Berry and Business Plan Pro with it's acceptance by the SBA as well as being rated number 1 by the Wall Street Journal, the SBDA, Yahoo Finance and Inc. Magazine for almost ten years now.  Marti's wife Stormy helps design elements along with Managing Director - Allan B. Miller (featured left) and Creative Director and mentor - Andrew Martin King.  The inn and it's hard to find requests for 1000 pound mirrors and antique furnishings are made possible by Interior Designer Cathy Horton Hunt, Antiques Experts Randy Bolin, Russell and Coit McCarter whom scour three states estates and auctions.  Mr. and Mrs. Dan Friedkin of Houston, Texas are owed a special thanks for their support and esteemed kindness. 

Part of Marti's goals endorse robust green programs which included installation of seven solar panels to light the entire home with low voltage lighting, a composting pen being brought back into usage, working side-by-side with Stormy on well and rain capture watering and numerous gardens for crops, flowers and herbs to grow in.  Eventually, they would like to take the house off of the power grid and make their own energy. 

The house is being painted, room by room, in the Certified Biltmore Estate schemes and palette with Olympic Paints and Lowes - while the landscaping with numerous gardens are being done with additions brought from the Biltmore Estate Horticultural Collection - Americas largest private home.  Frederick Law Olmstead's palette was used for the Nature & Earth room colors. 

These were started by Marti and large flowering Gladiolus in early 2008.  CFL bulb greening conversion continues (from incandescent) along with concentrated green laundry detergents, green cleaning agents and multi-stay towel program for guests.

The Inn and Mansion was built in 1879 by Doctor Alfred Frederick Hambright / Hambrecht (page 6L The Charlotte Observer, Friday, December 13, 1996) an Assistant Surgeon/Hospital Steward during the Civil War - for the Confederate States Army (CSA) and specifically to Generals A.P. Hill and Stonewall Jackson.  Doctor Alfred was the great, great-grandson of the Revolutionary War NC Congressman and Lt. Colonel - Frederick Hambright of Philadelphia and Lancaster, PA.  Originally, the family (Hambrecht) moved to America from Germany.  Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Hambright was ultimately one of the most  famous in a group of Colonels at the historic, local battle of Kings Mountain, when Lord General Cornwallis had his left flank crushed.  One third of the British army vaporized from the North American continent during the battle.  His British Army Major (Patrick Ferguson) was killed and his flight to escape the South began in desperation - to reach the coast and his supply ships.  1780 had been a horrific year for the Patriots from Valley Forge to tremendous defeats.  When Colonel Hambright took three bullets through his hat and one in his leg, his boot filled with blood and he refused to leave the battlefield.  Despite a horrible year and horrible battle, he refused to allow medical service for himself.  He insisted that all of the others be served first. 

Often the, Tennessee "over-the-mountain" men are historically stated to have saved America at the battle of Kings Mountain.  However, only due to the happenstance of Colonels Shelby and Sevier becoming Governors in their states has this mistake been perpetuated.  The Tennessee over-the-mountain men were actually outnumbered two to one by North Carolina men.  The notion is often that, perhaps, North Carolina men could not save themselves?  This is a great lie and outrageous to have spread against North Carolina families.  This fact is well documented and supported on placards and informational signs at the Kings Mountain National Military Park.  The Department of the Interior supports these facts along with the National Park Service.  Many "over-the-mountain" men actually travelled great distances over mountains IN, North Carolina - to get here. 

Congressman/Lt. Colonel Hambright (Hambrecht) and his troops also suffered repeated, vicious bayonet charges and suffered the highest and most devastating casualties of the battle.  Yet they moved on and crushed the "most powerful seated King's troops in the world." 

Later, he was taken to his cabin at the foot of the mountain and the nurse he soon married became his second wife with a total of 22 children birthed between both wives.  This is the cabin immortalized by the famed muralist, Clive Haynes, in Kings Mountain city.  This is the only battle in the history of America's colonial war in which one side was completely made up of rifled weapons.  The troops (the patriots) were also branded and stereo-typed as illiterate, filthy, stupid backwoodsmen whom could never stand up to the raw and unbridled power of the British force of power and military discipline.

The Inn (pictured right) is part of this family dynasty for the Hambright's / Hambrecht's whom settled all up and down Cleveland avenue - in Grover, NC.  Lt. Colonel Hambright (Hambrecht) is considered to be the progenitor of the NC Hambright's.  Many of them stayed and became Captains and even a Brigadier General in Lancaster, PA. 

A 2008 afghan donation has been put on loan by the President (Eudora Ratcliffe) of the Hambright - Hambrecht Reunion Association showcasing the historic journey of the Hambright's into America.  Now, the Inn and it's Hambright ~ Hambrecht family story are being brought to life and shared for the first time - worldwide.  Which is the right thing to do, given the fact that Colonel Hambright (Hambrecht originally) is the most important and critical hero of the Kings Mountain battle.  It was Colonel Frederick who knew and stopped the boy in the woods with a hidden dispatch to Lord General Cornwallis, had the boy questioned and then searched.  Upon learning of the fact that the British officer in charge, Major Patrick Ferguson, was now wearing a checkered shirt and had taken off his fancy jacket for the day - he issued killing orders appropriately.  Colonel Frederick Hambright (Hambrecht) also seized the day and took over when his Commander, Major Chronicle, was killed and urged his men to press forward despite three bullets through his hat and one in his own leg with a blood-filled boot.

(This information courtesy President of the Hambright Hambrecht Legacy Association/Reunion - Ms. Eudora Anne Ratcliffe)

COL. FREDERICK HAMBRIGHT / HAMBRECHT                     Married:  Sarah Hardin
   b May 17, 1727 in Germany                                                       b _______    d. Before 1780
   d Mar. 9, 1817 York District, SC

MAJ. FREDERICK HAMBRIGHT, JR. (3rd child of Colonel Frederick & Sarah Hardin)
   b 1766                                                               Married: Mary Eaker
   d Aug. 1, 1844                                                   b 1772      d Nov. 15, 1832

MICHAEL A. HAMBRIGHT  (4th child of Frederick Hambright, Jr. & Mary Eaker)
   b. Mar, 29, 1798                                               (2nd Marriage) Faithie Stewart (Reynolds)
   d. Sept., 27, 1867                                               b. Aug., 16, 1798  d. Aug. 26, 1878

ALFRED FREDERICK HAMBRIGHT (Doctor) (First child of Michael & Faithie Stewart)
   b. Aug. 16, 1836                                                Married: Sallie Deal, Grover, NC
   d. Feb. 2, 1915                                           

THEIR FIVE CHILDREN:

1. Charles F. Hambright  m. Nancy Bridges
2. Jacob F. Hambright  m. Ida Ware
3. Bell P. Hambright  m. Lena Turner
4. Mamie Hambright died 1940 (Unmarried) Always lived at the Cleveland Ave. address
5. Edith Hambright died 1957 (Unmarried) Always lived at the Cleveland Ave. address
 

The dynasty of good Germans (Prussians) living in the North and moving South is the same for the Inn owner.  Marti, also having grown up in Philadelphia - like the Hambright's, AND BEING GERMAN knew that a popular breakfast meat called, "Scrapple," was extremely loved amongst locals - but only in that area of the North (Philadelphia & Lancaster).  No where else is it eaten in the world - and this is a guaranteed fact of life and American history, other than the Philly metro area including Amish country, Germany and Charlotte.  Scrapple is also known as Liver Pudding and Liver Mush depending on which area or country you eat it in.  Some variations of the Charlotte regional version have cornmeal in the loaf.  It's interesting to see these states and cities linked together - the Colonial capitol of Philadelphia and the Queen city of Charlotte named after Queen Charlotte of England, formerly of Mecklenburg, Germany.  It is also interesting to see the city named after a German Queen - married off to King George... 

Scrapple/Livermush/Liver Pudding is a German product brought to Pennsylvania - a Germanic dominated and controlled region and is a United States foodstuff composed of pig liver, head parts, and cornmeal.  It is commonly spiced with pepper and sage.  Considered a more tolerable version of scrapple, livermush was most likely brought south through the Appalachian mountains by German settlers from Philadelphia.  Livermush is colloquially known as poor man's or poor boy's pâté.  If you follow the Great Warrior Path or Great Philadelphia Wagon Road through Lancaster, through Conestoga, PA (yes, wagons) and on down to Charlotte and finally to Augusta - you will see the origin of it.  Which in this country is Pennsylvania.  But, really, it comes from Germany.  You won't find it anywhere in the South other than the Charlotte region.  Did the Hambright's specifically contribute to this phenomenon?

Shelby, North Carolina hosts an annual Livermush Exposition, which began in 1987 to celebrate the unique delicacy.  In that year the Cleveland County Commissioners and the Shelby City Council passed resolutions proclaiming that "livermush is the most delicious, most economical and most versatile of meats."  Other towns in North Carolina that have livermush festivals include Drexel and Marion.  And, of course, we serve Livermush and Liver pudding here many days for breakfast!

It is commonly prepared by cutting a slice off of a prepared loaf and frying it with grease in a skillet until golden brown, much like you would Spam.  At breakfast it would be served alongside grits and eggs.  For lunch it can be made into a sandwich with mayonnaise or mustard, either fried as above, or left cold.  As livermush's popularity rises, it is appearing as a primary ingredient in dishes such as omelette and pizza.  Stormy always tells Marti to cook it longer and crisper on the outside!  Marti makes a secret sandwich with it combined with hints of Austrian methods.  Marti married his beautiful, Kings Mountain wife - Stormy, in the Inn on April 6, 2008. 

In 1977 a major motion picture was made in Grover and inside the Inn.  Named, "Hooch," it featured Gil Gerard, Erika Fox, Melody Rogers and Danny Aiello and is a comedy spoof about the Mafia and Cleveland County Moonshiners making, "white-lightning."  This is why Chef Marti serves Moon-Shine Jelly each morning from the Farmers Market - you might want to try some!  The film is quite funny, especially if you are Italian and want to reminisce of your own family, relatives or just have a few harmless laughs.  The local footage is great as is Danny Aiello carrying on all over the Inn from room to room - including Cathy Horton Hunt's teenage red room that she painted!!!  Cathy is the daughter of Clyde and Myrtle Horton and Clyde was a Marine and barber in town.  Clyde was well know for making people laugh and telling jokes and was featured in the Kings Mountain Mirror on Wednesday, September 26, 1973 on page 11A with his wise-cracking bird, Frankie!  Clyde and Myrtle deserve great credit for keeping the legendary home so beautiful and restored in excellent shape - for so many long decades.  And, if you are wondering, YES - Livermush was served then - as it still is now.

The photo on the left is Cathy Horton Hunt at the Renn's Cafeteria Sign in the 1960's, and the two photos to the right are 2008 photos with building of the sign and landscaping occurring by Marti and Stormy Mongiello.

The official movie poster released featuring dynamite, hooch (moonshine), country dancing and machine guns...  Click the poster for a blow-up version.  The Hambright Mansion and Renn's Cafeteria are the actual sight of the famous gun battle and shoot out on the streets of Grover, NC.  Shot in 1977 with Danny Aiello, Gil Gerard, Erika Fox and Melody Rogers - the film is an entertaining comedy spoof of the Mafia coming from New York (and getting caught up) in moon-shine feuds that erupt into battles to control the HOOCH trade in Cleveland and Rutherford counties.

Danny Aiello, the critically acclaimed Academy Award nominated actor, whose performances in more than 70 films including Moonstruck and Do the Right Thing have endeared him to audiences worldwide.  Pictured above, he is worked on two major films for release in 2009 and 2010 and has been called, "the New Blue Eyes," for his new CD.  His live shows in Atlantic City, NJ in the COPA room at the Tropicana Casino - singing to rave review songs are doing extremely well.  Pictured right is the famous teenage red room of Cathy Horton and later, Charlotte Allen.  Today it is the Oceanicus Blue Dreams room.

Here we see kind folk enjoying this and that and every other thing that Renn's Cafeteria cooked up - good, fine food for plain folk.  The ole Coke machine was a popular piece as was greens with hocks and biscuits, butter and natural honey from local bees.  The local Sherriff (middle) is portrayed speaking with his niece about Gil Gerard, "runnin' shine."

Danny Aiello runs out the back door (left) to escape in his getaway car (in which they later tear up Roy Dyer's front yard across the street), the Cleveland County Sherriff arrests a local hoodlum on the front steps (middle) after a gun battle and ransom had occurred (middle right) with threats and shooting out of the front bedroom window (smashed out with a shotgun).  On the righ,t we see folk from the area enjoying a nice lunch before the gun battle breaks out.

Click here to go to our special Hooch movie page - Grover on the Hollywood Screen (coming soon).

A Man of Ideas and Dreams - a life of accomplishments and "doing," - "actions," "success"...

In 1969, Marti Mongiello began entertaining at the age of four years old.  They say he was a real, "scream," to watch as he set his placemat, plates out, six to ten pieces of silverware, decorative folded napkin, multiple glasses and began making his own pizza.  Complete with ketchup on white bread, he then sprinkled shaker spaghetti cheese on top and sat down to, "entertain," himself.  At five, he was tasked with daily, proper cleaning of homes as his family owned one in Pennsylvania and a beach home in New Jersey.  He is a graduate of the International Culinary Schools at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, PA and Charlotte, NC with a BS degree in Culinary Management (Summa Cum Laude).

He was raised in the Colonial City and original patriot Capitol of America, Philadelphia, visiting places like the Liberty Bell and Constitution Hall.  In winter it was the stories to remind children of Washington on the Delaware or at Valley Forge.  He entered the workforce at the urging of a strong Italian Father and French-Irish Mother whom honored hard work.  He was fourteen now and riding his ten speed six miles to work as a dishwasher - turned catering prep. cook - turned working at a pizza parlor for Frank Panzone - learning all forms of sandwiches, pizza and calzones.  Next he continued to upgrade and began cooking meats, pancakes and egg dishes at the famed Pampered Pancake House on Long Beach Island, NJ and apprenticed under three chef graduates (including the noted Meatloaf) of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) led by Lance and Luciano Bachia of Luciano's North Italian Cuisine.  Regrettably, he was a complete failure and laughing stock at playing basketball.

He worked for many summers to save each year to pay for his private Christian high school, Monsignor Bonner of Drexel Hill.  He was a graduate of Saint Philomena's in Lansdowne.  He worked full time in his Senior year learning how to make the best breakfast in the world from the International House of Pancakes (IHOP).  A few factors dominated his young mind: 1. A love for duty, honor, courage and commitment.  2. A strong interest in war, martial arts, police work and the military. 3. A love for the ocean, sea, boats, travel, adventure and sailing.  4. A true and unbridled love for service and cooking in the hospitality field.  Having no money for college and childishly being sick of schooling he had no mature respect for attending a university.  Later in life, that would change as he obtained an MBA.  But for then, he had a drive to succeed and work himself to death, through not even knowing how or what to do.  He was not about to sit around on his hands waiting for the world to turn.  He took the US Military ASVAB and scored a 95.  He tried to join the US Air Force but was denied due to admitted, repeated drug use as a minor.  He considered himself to be a disgrace and failure in his family.  As the US Navy would have him he specifically requested to be a cook and somehow try to satisfy all of his desires while serving.

"A genius IQ testing result qualified him for cryptologic work or the nuclear field, yet he
followed his heart to work in the Hospitality Management field."

Admiral Marc Y. E. Pelaez, 2004

He volunteered for submarine duty, after boot camp, drill and Honor Guard Company duty & basic cooks school in San Diego, California.  Off next to submarine school - where he was taught the advanced understanding of nuclear power plants, hydraulics, electricity, navigation, buoyancy, firefighting, weaponry and survival under the worlds oceans in man-made machines.  Here he learned and perfected driving and diving a multi-billion dollar machine under the earths waters.  Over the next ten years he cooked, handled frozen lines off of Norway in the hail, practiced fire-fighting and nuclear release drills and served crews and officers in the wardroom while visiting other countries and studying cuisines. 

He lived inside of machines in the astronaut-like clean atmosphere while making oxygen through hydrolysis and using the earths waters for many things.  Many a night went by - sleeping next to a torpedo with his arm thrown around it like a wife. 

He next graduated Hotel Management School and ran the Bayshore's Resort, as a multi-million dollar Procurement Director and later - General Manager, helping turn it into a world-awarded property in Pensacola, Florida.  In 1990, he helped his team achieve status to the Commander in Chief, President George Bush, Sr, of - BEST BASE IN THE WORLD, for the second year in a row.  He was flown to the Pentagon after a special Good Morning America show was taped at the, "cradle of Naval aviation," - home to the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron.  There, with his team and Captain Harry Jupin, they were celebrated in a special service held in the middle of the Pentagon - in the courtyard.  The resort won numerous awards, including the Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Four-Star Award for Lodging. 

Marti pioneered numerous ground-breaking computerized inventory, interior design, resort leisure activities, housekeeping services and guest service initiatives that forever changed service from, "Managers," to becoming, "Hosts," and, "Customers," were then treated as, "Guests," in the Navy.  He received his first of five, Navy Achievement Medals, from the Secretary of the Navy. 

Marti also had graduated numerous security, police academy (first in class), anti-terrorism, HR, sanitation, leadership, OSHA and safety schools - as a manager.  Later, Marti would design houses and cabins at Camp David as well as appear on the front cover of Real Estate Showcase for his interior design work in Tennessee

At the ten year mark, (in a 21-year highly decorated military career) he was stationed onboard the first nuclear submarine ever named after a Western North Carolina town - the USS Asheville, SSN 758 - when he was nominated for Presidential Support Duty under the White House Military Office.  Submarine duty had honed his already natural skills of diplomacy and teamwork into highly celebrated and awarded management and leadership.  When living under the worlds oceans for months at a time, the ultimate goals of hard work and team work were celebrated.  There are no days off in the Navy and work days typically are 18 hours long.  At the same time, the leadership principles of Steven Covey are highly endorsed and utilized to achieve such unprecedented commitment to work. 

As a professional cook, Marti transitioned into becoming a Chef with the guidance and mentorship of Chief Kully Crean, Chef Monroe Duncan and his Master Chief, Jesse Ruffin.  They prepared him to cook for a President and Royalty on a daily basis as he was doing special luncheons and dinners for visiting Congress, Senators and CEO's of major corporations.  At the same time, Marti was crafting his art of massive cake decorating feats up to eight feet long at times and learning ice sculpting with 300 pound blocks of ice.  Marti's three-dimensional cakes were fully edible from the mountains to the seas and he also mastered the culinary art of Garde Manger simply by practicing each day, inside a sewer pipe (a submarine).  Marti has always listened to the excuses others have for why they don't have things or money or a better position in life and the hardships of watching TV all day long or listening to music or why they couldn't afford college or training... 

For Marti, he figured if he threw himself into a bookstore, bought a book, read what to do - he could teach himself - and make a lot of mistakes along the way.  And that would include even if he was underwater for months at a time, away from the world and his family.  When he began to decorate cakes in 1984, he cut out cake decorating tips from a catsup bottle top with a scissors and colored the icing with beet juice.  Having no knowledge, schooling or training as well as having no supplies or equipment has never been an excuse for not producing a finished, winning, champion product.  These are only excuses and crutches - to Marti.

Now Marti brought all of his culinary skills as a Chef to the Admirals, Restaurant Management skills of millions of dollars in design-menu-build-operation, full hotel and resort successes with P & L experience and Interior Design skills to bear for one man, one family and one nation.  It had been a long road of training for him spanning a hospitality career of learning over 24 years time since he was four.  He established the standardized Brigade system at Camp David per the famed Chef, Antoine Careme and began studying for his Certified Executive Chef exam.  At the age of 28, he became America's first Executive Chef in history - at Camp David (photo right courtesy National Archives).  Now he was going to stir things up for the President's Cabinet and, "get his just desserts!"  While running 16 homes for the President he coordinated with the US Secret Service, National Park Service, National Archives, Smithsonian and Library of Congress for assorted art and private collections of paintings and books for the First Family.  This provided a wonderful setting and experience for all visitors to the Catoctin Mountain Retreat once named, Shang-ri-la, by President Roosevelt and his USS Sequoia Navy cooks - later renamed to Camp David, by President Eisenhower after his grandson, David.  Marti excelled and during a three year tour was awarded two Joint Meritorious Unit Command ribbons (one with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), a Navy Achievement Medal, a Navy Commendation Medal, the Presidential Service Badge and began laying the path towards a Navy Volunteer Service Medal in teaching nutrition in schools, mentoring students, feeding the hungry and working for the Frederick County Covered Bridge Preservation Society (FCCBPS), with Dean Fitzgerald, President.  FCCBPS is a non-profit, volunteer organization working to restore, preserve, maintain, and promote the three covered bridges remaining in Maryland.  Critical to rebuilding of Loy's Station Covered Bridge following 1991 arson.  Responsible for repairs to Roddy Road Covered Bridge heavily damaged by hit-and-run driver in 1992.  Working closely with the county to rehabilitate the Utica Covered Bridge.

Being part of the ACF fit Marti well.  He had always worked in shelters feeding homeless people but the ACF had a strong desire to feed the starving and hungry in the world.  Marti was taught that it is one thing to be a famous Chef on TV making millions of dollars with international restaurants - but Chefs have a responsibility to feed the world also - regardless.  Marti subsequently got involved deeper (being unafraid of depths) with the Chef and Child Foundation (CCF) marching for Childhood Hunger in America - NOT OVERSEAS, NOT IN OTHER COUNTRIES.  The first march held was in Washington, DC in 1995 with his friends present (Doctor Dean Ornish, Paul Prudhomme, Ann Cooper) and hundreds of Chefs from around the USA.  Marti went on to cook for the United States people and negotiate control of almost 3 billion dollars annually in food purchasing for America when he lived in Japan, Hawaii and Belgium. 

While he did, his time included presentations of the ACF CCF puppet Chef, "Chef Combo," in Japan to the Shunko Gakuen Orphanage, US Department of Defense in Belgium, at peace missions in the desert for war widows and children and the Connecticut and Maryland school systems in America.  His involvement has also included cooking shelter food for Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen during Childhood Hunger Day.  Other events have included personally assisting in Federal donations of food to the United Way, Connecticut Food Bank, The Manna Food Bank of Florida, Aloha Harvest of Hawaii, recipe development with Breedlove (led to feeding over 160,000,000 meals in 2007) and Share our Strength in excess of $740,000.00 dollars.  The Chef and the Child Foundation mission has always been: "To address the dietary needs and nutrition education needs of and for children in America; - to be "the voice and army of the American Culinary Federation in its fight against childhood hunger in America." 

Chef Marti has also worked on Taste of the Nation events with Chef Jacques Pepin.  In 2005 Marti was a Celebrity Judge for The Philly Cooks Competition along with Jeffrey Chodrow of the Restaurant Show on NBC TV, Philadelphia Magazine, the Fretz Kitchens, Mercedes Benz, Gallo Wines, Chefs Jean-Marie Lacroix, Joseph Poon, Brian Sikora of Django, Santé Magazine’s Elaine Khosrova, Food Network’s Bill Boggs, Saveur Magazine’s Roger Morris, Cynthia Teixeira of Williams-Sonoma, and Fer.Vor Magazine’s Leigh Donadieu to help raise over $150,000.00 for MANNA.  He would later train under Chef's Rick Scott at The Tokyo American Club, Chef's Walter Scheib, John Moeller, Christeta Comerford and Keith Luce of the White House, Chef Patrick O'Connell of The Inn at Little Washington, Chef Hubert Keller of Fleur de Lys, a top 25 restaurant in the world located in San Francisco, CA and Las Vegas, NV, Michael Lomonaco while visiting the White House (of the 21 Club and Windows on the World), extensively under Chef Jean Marc Fullsack of Doctor Dean Ornish's Preventive Medicine Research Institute, while visiting Chef Laurent Rigolet of Comme Chez Soi and studying under Miguel Saelens (Wine Master) in the Capitol of the European Union, Brussels, Belgium, Master Sommelier Charles Anderson, Chef Jean-Pierre Drehier of the Left Bank Restaurant, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, Florida and Chef Herve' Le Biavant, Executive Chef of the California Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu.

Chef Marti, Doctor Ornish, Chef Walter Scheib, Chef Patrick O' Connell and Chef Hubert Keller

Whether making rice cakes in Tokyo for the poor, cooking for thousands a day, giving up a Thanksgiving dinner to make one for the poor in a Norfolk, Virginia shelter or in teaching nutrition to children with his friendly puppet, "Chef Combo,"  Marti keeps busy!  The US Directory of Chefs for Special Nutrition Partnerships in the schools of America listed Marti as inspiring children about food choices that promote health.  At other times, Chef Marti has been found giving back to younger Chefs at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Miami and the Art Institute of Colorado Denver, Colorado, USA.  Giving to the students of the world - Marti and Christopher Mathis donated time for free, conducted cooking demonstrations and addressed the largest university system in United States on this occasion.

Marti retired from the military after 21 years of service and living on three continents, being a Seabee, Law Enforcement Specialist, Chef, Hotel and Resort Manager to the President, Surface Warfare and Submarine Warfare Specialist, NATO duty (x2), Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge recipient and Presidential Service Badge awardee.  His final roles of duty were in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF - OEF) with Captain James T. Grant and Commander Barry Smith onboard USS Detroit (AOE-4).  This was his fourth time in this theater and portions of it were written about in his book, "America's Secret Weapon Surfaces."  He continues to consult with resorts and clubs around the world to provide service at the level of a Prime Minister - King or Queen - President.  His teams continue to win numerous awards under Cendant/Wyndham and other projects like his LIVE cooking shows at the worlds largest casino - Foxwoods Casino.  In 2006, his wife joined him in cooking for six months, from coast-to-coast, live on stage for the Fortune 24 company of Proctor & Gamble.  In 2007, they were chosen to represent almost 30 food corporations products from Heinz to McCormick to Emeril Lagasse and Marti also scratch created a cooking radio show called Kings in the Kitchen - across the three Arbitron rated states (achieving #1 slot status) for New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  It seems like Marti has often been in the right place, at the right time, and done the right thing to get the right contract - or save the right life on earth.  He once was helping Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall rebuild their home in Hollywood (recently sold for 26M to Tom Hanks) as the Estate Manager working out of Cathy Ireland's home - with a pool.  Marti was in the right place one day - and saved Meghan's life (one of two daughter's - the other being Lili) at the right time, before she drowned.  Marti earned the eternal gratitude of the most successful film producers of all time.

Service standards are paramount at the inn along with the setting of a proper table - all standards of which are shared between Marti and Stormy.  He married Stormy LeAnn Neal on April 6, 2008 in the Inn of the Patriots with each of their families and parents attending (having originally met in 2005 and proposed on his knees in 2006 in front of her family).  Stormy is originally from Kings Mountain and grew up on a large farm named after her Paw, "Paw Jim."  Today the road she played on and left to join the US Navy - bears a street sign of fluorescent green named after him, "Paw Jim's Road."  The farm he ran lives on in his hands and teachings of the earth and growing crops.  The Inn of the Patriots grows numerous vegetables, watermelons, corn, pumpkins, squash and lettuce for it's guests meals and also has a Chefs Herb Garden (separate).  The proud history of our military and patriots continues on, alive amongst the foothills of North Carolina.

The lovely Choo-Choo train town of Grover, NC...  Grover is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 698 at the 2000 census. 

Cleveland County, NC (Credit Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce - member)

History & Culture: Before Cleveland County was officially on any map, the area became well-known for several reasons.  In October 1780, a pivotal battle that essentially halted the British advance into North Carolina was fought just to our south.  The Kings Mountain National Military Park commemorates the Battle of Kings Mountain.  In addition to our rich military history, the county is also known for cotton farms and successful textile mills and politics.

In 1841, Cleveland County was formed from the existing counties of Rutherford and Lincoln. The county's name was chosen in honor of Revolutionary War hero, Colonel Benjamin Cleaveland. The following year, in 1842, the county seat was established and named Shelby after another Battle of Kings Mountain hero, Colonel Isaac Shelby.

From the 1800s to the 1960s, Cleveland County’s primary form of subsistence was agriculture. Wheat, sweet potatoes, and oats were all grown in the area, but cotton was king. Cotton was so plentiful that in the 1940s, Cleveland County produced a larger yield per acre of cotton than any other county in the entire United States. During the height of cotton production, there were 25 textile plants located here. By the 1960s, manufacturing firms began to crop up with over 100 producing their goods in Cleveland County. In that same year, there were more than 125 grade “A” dairies and more than 400 farmers manufacturing milk. By 1980, manufacturing plants were becoming more diversified. Now, the county is still home to several farms and a few specialized textile plants, but the economy is largely made up of manufacturing firms, distribution centers, and small businesses.

Shelby: Shelby was formed soon after the county was incorporated on land donated by William Forbes and James Love. Shelby became the center of Cleveland County’s government and the official county seat. The founders of Shelby named the main streets after Revolutionary War heroes Lafayette, Marion, Warren, DeKalb, Sumter, Morgan, and Graham. The picturesque court house, now serving as the Cleveland County Historical Museum, was built in 1907. The former court house still serves as the center of the uptown business district.

Kings Mountain: Originally a postal route named White Plains, Kings Mountain is the second largest city in the county. The city was renamed in 1872 when a train depot was erected. Kings Mountain was named by the postmistress in honor of the Revolutionary battle fought a few miles away in South Carolina.

The Municipalities: Along with the county seat of Shelby, and the City of Kings Mountain, Cleveland County also includes the towns of Belwood, Boiling Springs, Casar, Earl, Fallston, Grover, Kingstown, Lattimore, Lawndale, Mooresboro, Patterson Springs, Polkville and Waco. All of these towns have their own rich history and unique personality.

Historical Figures: Cleveland County has many well-known historical figures. For several years in the early to mid-1900s, many of North Carolina’s political leaders hailed from Shelby. The group, originally known as the “Shelby Ring” included O. Max Gardner, Clyde R. Hoey, Yates Webb, James L. Webb, and Otis M. Mull. Gardner served as governor from 1929 to 1933 and was the Ambassador to Great Britain. Hoey was North Carolina’s governor from 1937 to 1941 and a United States Senator from 1946 to 1955. Yates Webb became a federal judge after serving 26 years in Congress; his brother, James, was a Superior Court Judge. Mull served eight terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives. The time period is now known as the Shelby Dynasty.

Other notable natives include 1924 Pulitzer Prize winner Hatcher Hughes; Earl Scruggs, legendary bluegrass musician; NBA-great David Thompson; author W.J. Cash, novelist Thomas Dixon; and film producer Earl Owensby.

Historical Places: According to the authors of the book, Architectural Perspectives of Cleveland County North Carolina, Cleveland County’s history can be read in its architecture. With the success of the county’s agriculture after the Civil War, many Victorian-style farm houses were constructed.

In 1907, Webbley, also known as the Governor O. Max Gardner House, was built in what is now Uptown Shelby. The beautiful Classical Revival house was operated as a bed and breakfast for several years and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Other homes on the National Register of Historic Places include the Smith-Suttle House (Twin Chimneys), the Joshua Beam House, the Dr. Victor McBrayer House, and The Banker’s House in Shelby. The John Lattimore House in Polkville and the Irvin-Hamrick Log House near Boiling Springs are also on the National Register.

Additional buildings and areas included on the list are the Central Shelby Historic District, the Masonic Temple Building, the Cleveland County Courthouse (now the Cleveland County Historical Museum) and E.B. Hamrick Hall at Gardner-Webb University.

Related Links:

www.cityofshelby.com - named after Colonel Shelby, a warrior friend of Colonel Hambright

www.cityofkm.com - the beautiful city of Kings Mountain and home to the Joy Theater

www.clevelandcounty.com - named after Colonel Benjamin Cleaveland, a warrior friend of Colonel Hambright

See our recent Media Advisories and Press Releases:

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Chef Marti, his wife Chef Stormy and son, Chef JT have recently won a Best of the Best World Award for their Bed and Breakfast as was featured in a Reuter's Press Release for 2009-2010!  See the official world release and other global winners at http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS88253+05-Oct-2009+PRN20091005  This information was also recently covered as front-page news by the Shelby Star (Freedom Communications) and can be seen at: http://www.shelbystar.com/articles/inn-42510-history-grover.html

We've had a lot of requests for the article that was front page news in the Kings Mountain Herald - we want you to know we are working on that.  We also have had a lot of requests for a copy of the excellent, Foothills Gazette , article!

We had a wonderful article pop up on the front page of the Shelby Shopper Newspaper.  The actual front page news also has five color photographs.  Distribution is 43,000 copies by the paper and we can't thank them enough.  The folks at the paper are a wonderful bunch of people!   Here is the .pdf version with just one photo: 

On Sunday, July 6th - the CHARLOTTE NEWS OBSERVER released a very large two-page article on Chef Marti, Stormy and JT that has numerous photos, interviews and a large expose on the front page of the Neighbors section.  It showcased the Inn of the Patriots and historic American treasure of the Hambright mansionarticle here.

The SHELBY STAR   and GASTON GAZETTE Sunday newspapers have now run in the Sunday paper a large article with full color photos - see http://www.shelbystar.com/articles/home_32296___article.html/mongiello_history.html or try thearticle here.

In the Shelby Star and Gaston Gazette there were articles on the Grand Opening of the Bed and Breakfast.  The Shelby Star has a video of the LIVE CANNON FIRING and you can watch the grand opening of the Inn right here (massive download file - please be patient - 155 MB .flv file)   These events were also featured on the CC 33 Headline News TV show affiliate shown on CNN Headline News.

"Grand Opening Media Advisory" and Grand Opening Poster in color.  Also press outlets and graphics designers may desire to utilize our 300 DPI logo as well as 300 DPI press photo of Chef Marti in high resolution.  Please also find enclosed our publishing standards for graphics artists and publishing houses here .

Chef Marti on the TODAY show with NBC TV Studios

Watch the show now - click the play button