'Country Boy' to open restaurant in Sumter

Multi-talented Jeffrey Lampkin will 'be serving food for the soul'

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Jeffrey Lampkin, a native of Manning, is a man on a mission.

He is a senior consultant for the Verizon Wireless Area Operations. He's the praise and worship leader at Grace Cathedral Ministries in Sumter. He's the award-winning choir director for the Francis Marion University Young Gifted and Blessed Gospel Choir in Florence. He can be heard every Sunday from 6 to 10 a.m. on The Big DM 101.3 FM with his Sunday Morning Gospel show, which is currently the No. 1 ranked Sunday morning radio show. He's the marketing director at Lampkin Law Firm LLC, and he's appeared on "Good Morning America" twice sharing his passion for God and his music.

Lampkin grew up outside of Manning, singing and praising God at William's Chapel. Lampkin is internationally known. His love of music has taken him around the world, most recently to Chicago where he and his Francis Marion University YGB Gospel Choir performed for a national audience. Lampkin isn't shy, and his outgoing personality and musical abilities took him to Hollywood during Season 7 of American Idol which led to his award-winning television show on WACH television in Columbia where he hosted The Jeffrey Lampkin Show, the No. 1 television show on Sunday morning for six seasons.

And, now, he's added restaurateur to his lengthening list of accomplishments.

Although he lives in Blythewood now with his wife, Columbia attorney Harriet Huell Lampkin, Lampkin still refers to Manning as home.

And, opening his first of what he promises will be a franchise restaurant, Jeffrey Lampkin's Country Boy Kitchen, on June 14 at 5642 Broad St. in Sumter, is the next step on his mission.

"We'll be serving food for the soul," Lampkin said. "Our food will be seasoned with love."

Jeffrey Lampkin's Country Boy Kitchen, which will be serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, will be a mix of modern with old-fashioned goodness.

"We're going to have creamy grits, country salmon and fried bologna," Lampkin added. "And, we'll be serving the best fried chicken anywhere. It's a real winner."

Country Boy Kitchen won't be serving any 'ole macaroni and cheese.

"Our mac and cheese will be your miracle mac and cheese, and our turnip greens will be your soul-saving greens," he said. "You'll be able to tell that our food is prepared with love."

Lampkin said that he's been thinking of opening a restaurant for several years and really focusing on a name for the restaurant over the past year.

"I'd been thinking about names for a restaurant for quite a while," he added. "I'm a country boy at heart. Literally, on a Monday in my house, the Lord dropped the name."

With all the hats that he's constantly juggling, Lampkin said his faith keeps him on the right path.

"I see the glass as half full, not half empty," he said. "I'm a person of faith. Everything I do, I give thanks, and it works for me."

When choosing the employees for his new venture, Lampkin said he looked beyond the obvious.

"I try to see the other side of people," he added. "I try to look through God's eyes. I look at my fellow man that way. I look past the obvious and look into the person."

Lampkin said he tries to "keep the doors open."

"This is going to be a ministry for me," he said. "Some (employees) may not know how to dress for interviews. God is sending me there to mold and develop them."

Lampkin's professed "love for food" also contributed to his desire to open a restaurant.

"I love food," he said. "Everyone knows I love food. I love the power of food. When a person sits down at a table, they can forget their trials and tribulations. They can enjoy a conversation. All of their burdens are fed, and their souls are nourished."

Lampkin promises that his Country Boy Kitchen will be just his first restaurant.

"This is the beginning of a franchise," he said. "It is going to keep growing. Manning, Florence, Columbia, it's going to be everywhere."

Lampkin attributes his successes in life to his devout faith and to being the best that he can be.

"I want to be the best that I can be today," he said. "Tomorrow I want to be even better."

Jeffrey Lampkin's Country Boy Kitchen will be opening to the public on Friday, June 14.

"I have friends coming from all over promising to visit my restaurant," he said with his customary laugh. "They'll be coming from Manning, Sumter, Columbia, Florence, everywhere to eat at my Country Boy Kitchen."

Lampkin's passion for people and his desire to put a smile on everyone's face adds to his drive to make every day and every moment count.

"Because God is the greatest power," Lampkin said. "You shall not be defeated."