Flappers welcome at Memphis Restaurant Association’s Food Festival
The Memphis Restaurant Association Food Festival is Sunday, Feb. 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Kent located at 61 Keel Ave. (Courtesy Alison Stukenborg)
The Memphis Restaurant Association is looking to the past, roughly 100 years to the past, for its annual February food festival.
The festival, which began in 2022, aims to showcase the diversity and richness of Memphis cuisine. This year, the event will have a 1920s Prohibition-era theme, and food and drink vendors have been asked to incorporate a vintage twist in their offerings.
Attendees are also encouraged, though not required, to dress in attire inspired by the Roaring Twenties, and they will be able to have unique tastings from 16 of the city’s finest chefs and mixologists. On the list of participants is Huey’s, Bala’s Bistro, Magnolia Bend Grille and Kaye’s Pints & Scoops.
Traditionally, the MRA recognized its Restaurateur of the Year as well as its Associate of the Year winner during the event.
“This year, the Memphis Restaurant Association chose to announce award winners later to focus on enhancing the Food Festival and to highlight winners throughout the year rather than on a single night,” said Sally Fienup, executive director of the Memphis Restaurant Association.
The change was due to two key reasons.
“First, we wanted to focus our energy on growing and enhancing the Memphis Restaurant Association Food Festival, ensuring it continues to be an exceptional experience for attendees and a spotlight for our incredible food scene,” Fienup said. “Second, this new approach allows us to give our award winners the recognition they deserve throughout the entire year rather than concentrating it on one evening. By showcasing their contributions at various moments throughout the year, we’re better able to celebrate their impact on our industry and community.”
The annual food festival is one of MRA’s two main fundraisers, and attendance traditionally exceeds 600 people. The money generated from the event helps cover general operating expenses, allowing the association to continue educational programming and governmental services for its membership and the Memphis restaurant community as a whole.
The Memphis Restaurant Association Food Festival is Sunday, Feb. 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Kent located at 61 Keel Ave. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at memphisrestaurants.com/events.
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Memphis Restaurant Association food RestaurantsJennifer Chandler
A cookbook author and former restaurateur, Jennifer Chandler has been writing about food and dining for more than 25 years.
She is the author of four cookbooks: “The Southern Pantry Cookbook,” “Simply Salads,” “Simply Suppers,” and “Simply Grilling.” While she boasts a degree from Le Cordon Bleu, this Memphis native is about making real food accessible for real families.
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