A restaurant closes due to COVID. But the show goes on at Liberty Park where Memphis in May’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is back.

Sisters-in-law and best friends Brandi Flaig and Jesse Boyd have started their own catering business, something they might not have been able to do before a pandemic-era trend took hold. 

A graduate of Penn State’s Ice Cream Short Course and a former student of a “gelato master” at a French pastry school in Chicago, Hugh Balthrop takes great pride in the art of gelato-making.

A new world champion of barbecue is waiting in the wings. And, more accurately, also in the hogs, the sauce and the “anything but.” It all starts today at 5 p.m. 

After relocating to East Memphis during the pandemic, Blaire and Taylor Bobo decided to open one of their favorite restaurants nearby. 

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Nick Barbian had a choice: Move back to Austin or make his mark in Memphis.

Cooking for mom? Chances are good she and everyone else would like a big pan of Grisanti’s baked manicotti.

A former dancer and muffin maker is now delivering bagels, from plain to poppy seed, to the eastern part of Shelby County.

“We’re not out to get the little guy. We all used to be the little guy,” said John Currence, owner of Big Bad Breakfast, the restaurant he announced last month would open in Mulan’s space. 

An accidental hot sauce douse prompts a culinary epiphany for a friend — and a question for you. 

Idahoan mashed potatoes are back in Memphis, but don’t expect them in your mailbox this time around. 

“I only live about a mile from here,” said one opening day customer. “I could walk. In fact, I probably should walk.”

Torta de Merengue is so simple to make; all you need is a mixer (or a strong arm) to impress your guests.

In Inkwell, Ben Colar said he wanted to build another option that felt inviting, where people could come, relax and not have to settle.

“We are definitely still open,” said Mulan co-owner Matt Kan. 

Though the Half Shell owner didn’t plan on doing much work to the restaurant when asked about it earlier this week, well, the universe may have had other plans. 

Have you thrown a big party since COVID? I was out of practice and it was hard; Williamsburg Village in East Memphis keeps hopping; and Cooper-Young is getting bigger and badder.

With the purchase of two corners in Cooper-Young, John Currence has plans to build a Big Bad Breakfast for Midtowners.

Jody Moyt, chef at Lafayette’s, was killed after a traffic run-in; another restaurant server has been charged with second-degree murder.

Tenero Café & Butcher is bringing a taste of the Midwest to Memphis. 

The restaurant has been at Poplar and Mendenhall since 1983 and will stay where it is despite demolition of the east side of Williamsburg Village.

Muggin’ Coffeehouse to open second location near “game-changer” homes in Uptown. 

Deli Midtown opened last week at 1906 Madison Ave., offering breakfast tacos, soups and Deli on the Square’s famous array of specialty grilled cheese sandwiches.

After 18 years working in the local restaurant industry, David Hernandez and two partners have opened Ricos Tacos & ‘Ritas in Arlington to bring authentic Mexican food to the growing community. 

When The Daily Memphian asked locals what the city needs to improve the area’s culinary scene, the answers spanned the globe.