Melissa Cookston intended to simply find a hangout headquarters for the World Junior Barbecue League, but then she stumbled upon 12,000-square-feet of space. She’d always wanted a barbecue supply store.

Instead of 10 best restaurants, here are the 10 best things Jennifer Biggs ate in a year that was a COVID rollercoaster for restaurants.

More restaurants closing for COVID: This time it’s Pantà and The Second Line; both should reopen next week.

José Andrés was in my kitchen, via Zoom, and I forgot to tell you about it (but now I am). McEwen’s is open, a Guinness record is coming to Memphis, and so is a Hy-Vee grocery.

It took a while, but we found the recipe for Café Roux’s praline bread pudding by going to Table Talk.

Some Memphis restaurants are temporarily shutting down because of staff members who’ve tested positive for coronavirus, and at least one is going to takeout only for now.

A weekend event to break the Guinness World Record succeeds, even if the rain and cold called it off earlier than planned.

The Downtown restaurant reopened Monday, Dec. 20 for lunch and dinner. 

Positive COVID tests among the staff at Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen have temporarily closed the popular East Memphis restaurant.

Still shopping? No shame. We’re here to help you find something local that your favorite foodie will be happy to find under the tree.

A group of five friends starts cooking barbecue for 48 hours starting Friday morning; they plan to break the Guinness World Record, and you’re invited.

Pralines, milk punch and Frank Grisanti’s tiramisu recipe all delivered this week; Melissa Cookston’s Southaven BBQ store has opened; McEwen’s opens next week. Why, Merry Christmas!

It’s not Christmas until the pralines line the countertops. Try it; you’ll find it easy and rewarding.

Frank Grisanti’s tiramisu was requested and it was ours for the asking; send in your requests too.

The eighth restaurant owned by a Daniele brother of Milano’s Pizza has opened, this one on Germantown Parkway in Cordova. 

When they closed McEwen’s for COVID, Bert Smythe and John Littlefield figured they’d be down for about 14 days. Soon, 641 days later, the beloved Downtown restaurant is reopening.

Like Santa’s list, the annual baking checklist has to be checked twice and the result is usually the same: Scratch. Too much trouble, not enough time. But this year, a few new things make the cut.

“Memphis Cuisine” is a 30-year-old book that continues to provide gifts of restaurant recipes that were popular at the time.

Beer permits are issued through the city, while liquor and wine permits come from the state.

The Timex watch of the Memphis restaurant scene is back. Mac Edwards brings favorites from The Farmer to Railgarten starting next week. He tells us how he got there from way back when in Gadsden, Alabama.

Pho Saigon has been sold, but it’s staying in the family and you can still get a hearty lunch for less than $10; try $7.99.

Kohesian has sold its concept and the restaurant’s last day is Friday. Spence Ray is hopeful about the direction of the development. Maggie Louise Bridal appears set to open in a prominent space on the site.

Longtime Collierville residents are taking the keys to Square Beans Coffee Co. The new owners have local experience in hospitality.

The popular taco truck opens a fourth Memphis-area location, at a well-trafficked Midtown corner, while its owner plans a sit-down restaurant in Germantown.

When you talk to a 90-year-old about one story, chances are good you’ll get to hear another one or two, and what a privilege that is.