Our Story
Welcome to Washam Farms!
At Washam Farms, we believe the best flavors come from the heart — and from the land. What started as a simple gift from our kitchen has grown into a passionate family-run business rooted in local farming, bold flavor, and southern hospitality.
While we officially began selling our jams and jellies in the summer of 2023, our signature Scotch Bonnet Pepper Jelly has been a favorite among family and friends since 2016. It all started after a trip to Jamaica, where we fell in love with the unforgettable flavor of Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Inspired and determined to recreate that magic at home, we tried making our own jerk sauce — but couldn’t find Scotch Bonnet peppers anywhere. So, we decided to grow them ourselves.
The result? A pepper harvest that got out of hand… and a delicious solution: pepper jelly. Sweet, fiery, and absolutely addictive, it was too good not to share. After years of giving jars away as gifts (and giving in to a lot of friendly pressure), we finally launched Washam Farms to bring our creations to more tables.
Every jar we produce is made with care, using ingredients we either grow ourselves or source from local Tennessee farms. We are proudly listed in the Pick TN Products directory, supporting the local food community we’re honored to be a part of.
Thank you for being here — we hope you love our products as much as we love making them.
From our farm to your table,
– The Washam Family
From Our Kitchen to Yours
We hope you enjoy every one of our products, knowing that each jar is made with love, care, and a whole lot of heart. Every batch reflects our passion for good food, homegrown ingredients, and sharing something truly special with you.
Thank you for supporting Washam Farms!
About the Chef
Hi there! I’m Sheila Washam — passionate cook, devoted wife, proud mom of four, and grandma to four precious grandbabies. I’m the second of five siblings, and from an early age, I found my happy place in the kitchen. For nearly 30 years, I’ve poured my heart into cooking for family, friends, church events, and anyone who needs a little comfort food in their life.
I love gardening, raising chickens, canning, and all things homesteading. You’ll often find me snapping photos of whatever’s bubbling on the stove or coming fresh out of the oven — and yes, I’m unapologetically that person who shares food pics on Facebook and Instagram.
In 2009, I studied Culinary Arts at the Art Institute of Nashville. While I loved every second of learning and experimenting, I realized that the intense hours of a professional chef didn’t align with raising a family. Instead, I took those skills and let them bloom at home — creating new dishes, testing bold flavor combinations, and feeding both bellies and souls.
Over the years, I’ve catered events (just for fun!), gifted homemade meals, and organized church dinners. Cooking isn’t just a skill for me — it’s how I connect, give, and celebrate life. I’m currently writing a cookbook filled with recipes and stories from my kitchen, and while many have urged me to open a restaurant, I haven’t taken that leap just yet. Never say never, though — they’re still trying!
My husband, Jason, is my partner in life and in the kitchen. We love experimenting together, especially drawing inspiration from our travels and the incredible flavors we’ve discovered around the world. He’s also the genius behind our soon-to-be-released Grilling Glazes — and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Whether you're here for recipes, homesteading tips, or just to follow the food journey — welcome to my kitchen. Let’s cook something delicious together!