MIM’s barbecue cooking contest just got more fiery
For the first time at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, pitmasters this year will cook on an open-flame in a live-fire competition.
Sophia Surrett
Reporter
Sophia Surrett is a University of Alabama graduate, where she received her B.A. in news media and M.A. in journalism and media studies. She has been with The Daily Memphian since July 2023, first starting as a business reporter covering various beats. Now, she covers food, restaurants, and hospitality and tourism.
There are 795 articles by Sophia Surrett :
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May 2026
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Food News Ghost River Brewing on Beale to close
Ghost River Brewery & Taproom opened on Beale Street in 2021. The company will focus on its newly-expanded South Main location.
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FoodCordova dumpling restaurant has roots in icy Northern China
Shuxia Guo believed in herself when no one else would. Now, Memphis dumpling lovers are reaping the benefits.
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Food NewsFood Files: Flame Ramen is back Downtown, paired with coffee and tea
It’s all openings this week with TacoNGanas, Bloom Bakery & Cafe, Playa Bowls and Brain Food Memphis.
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April 2026
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The To-Do List A very Wu-Tang weekend, a River of Time and Riverbeat Music Fest
In this week’s To-Do List, you get a pass to peek into people’s backyards, there’s a morning rave on Beale Street and Global Cafe hosts a beer mile for a cause.
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Table TalkTable Talk: Winner, winner, barbecue dinner
This week’s Table Talk comes to you from Sophia Surrett, The Daily Memphian’s new food and restaurant reporter.
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Food NewsThis new wine bar is Over Keel
A New Uptown bar will open in an existing event space.
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Spirit of Memphis Longtime owner of Owen Brennan’s was ‘a host until the end’
Baker’s son Austin Baker said his father told him, “we are all stewards. Everything we own, someone’s owned before us, and someone will own it when we’re gone. It’s up to us to pay it forward while we’re here.”
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Food NewsFood Files: Jay’s Catering opening in former Non-Vintage Wine Bar space
Jay’s Catering will open in the Non-Vintage Wine Bar space on Broad Avenue sometime this month. Renovations at Brookhaven Pub & Grill are underway, and the Café Keough space is up for a low-rent, one-year lease.
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Real EstateFood Files: Burgers, coffee, chicken and smoothies
In-N-Out one step closer to its first Memphis location. Dutch Bros opens in the Edge District. Tommy’s Burgers California Style is opening its third location. Guthrie’s merges two nearby locations into one.
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Food NewsFood Files: Two Dunkin’ developments and a new breakfast place
It’s all about breakfast — and wings — this week.
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Real EstateFood Files: Another Raising Cane’s in Memphis and another Taziki’s in Collierville
More gyros are coming to Collierville, and a second Memphis Raising Cane’s is planning its grand opening party.
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Real EstateFood Files: Ice cream, pizza and comfort food
Ice cream and more on its American Way, Rotolo’s Lakeland grand opening and Roll With It in Whitehaven.
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Education Mid-South public universities join forces for AI research
The universities of Memphis, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee Health Science Center will focus on five areas of research and development.
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BusinessOn the Flip Side, Memphis pinball bar under new ownership
Locals David and Julie Yopp have joined Michael Muhlert, one of the original Flip Side owners, in ownership of the pinball bar.
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Food NewsAfter years of wrangling, Alabama oyster restaurant coming to Memphis
Aw, shucks. Wintzell’s Oyster House is opening its first Memphis location at a former Hooters site.
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Food NewsFood Files: Stix Express Downtown to close, plus more Dunkin’
Stix Express Downtown will close Friday, April 24. Meanwhile, two coffee locations have made progress toward opening.
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Food NewsDowntown Longshot space could be filled by new cocktail bar
Memphis native Teddy Jasper Sr. and his son plan to re-open the space this summer.
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Food NewsBig Bad Breakfast to open in Cooper-Young
Big Bad Breakfast is taking over a former restaurant space.
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BusinessFord revs up investment in West Tennessee communities
The auto giant recently announced its Ford Good Neighbor Plan had invested $11.7 million in communities near its 3,600-acre manufacturing campus in Stanton, Tennessee.
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Food NewsVeteran restaurateurs to open Middle Eastern bakery
The restaurateurs behind Sam’s Main Street Eatery and La Roche Lebanese Cuisine are opening a bakery.
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Food NewsThe Second Line reopens in Laurelwood
The Second Line opened at 4550 Poplar Ave. on Wednesday, April 8, once again serving Cajun-Creole cuisine that includes po’boys, gumbo, red beans, crawfish, and pimento cheese fries.
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BusinessWang’s Mandarin House founders retire, sell longtime restaurant
The brother-sister duo behind Wang’s is saying goodbye.
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March 2026
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Real Estate Defense and space manufacturer could land in Memphis
Founded in 2009, the company is a metallic additive manufacturer with products used in aerospace, ground vehicles/automotive, defense, medical and custom work.
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Real EstateSushi Jimmi taking former By the Brewery space to ‘Next Level’
“This place was meant for me,” Chef Jimmy Sinh, known as “Sushi Jimmi,” said.
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