Our Story

Welcome to Gourmet! My name is Erin Hayes and I'm the founder and owner of Gourmet Handmade. We specialize in to-go food, catering, gift baskets, and kitchen and home retail items. I have dedicated my life to this business with the intentions of helping busy families enjoy an easy and delicious homemade meal.

I started cooking at a very young age. From the time I could stand up on a chair to see the counter, I've been in the kitchen. I loved helping my grandmother, who taught me everything I know, prepare huge family meals for special occasions or holidays. My sweet grandmother has won many accolades in her lifetime for her remarkable cooking and baking skills. Cooking has been a passion for me throughout my life.

After graduating Auburn University with my degree in Health Administration, I moved to Atlanta to start my career. However, I felt that something was amiss. I decided to move back to the Wiregrass and over the holiday season of 2009 I started Gourmet out of my mom's kitchen. I opened up shop at 'The Nest' in downtown Dothan in 2010. Since our first location, we have had several stores in Dothan. We have now found a space that we hope to call home for good.

I would like to say thank you to everyone that has made Gourmet happen. To our wonderful customers, let me take this oppurtnity to thank you for choosing Gourmet to provide for you! Thank you for supporting us throughout these years. I have truly enjoyed getting to know all of the remarkable families in the Wiregrass. I hope to see you soon!

        - Erin Hayes