Memphis Farmers Market Farm Fest returns
On Sunday, the Memphis Farmers Market will host its 13th annual Farm Fest.
“This event is our largest annual fundraiser,” executive director Rebecca Dull said. “The money we raise at this event provides funds for the successful launch and promotion of the next year’s market season.”
This year’s event will be held at the third-floor event space of South Main Market.
It is traditionally a tasting event, and the Memphis Farmers Market will have 10 restaurants participating this year. Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant, The Majestic Grille, Rizzo’s, Char Restaurant, Amerigo Italian Restaurant, McEwen’s on Monroe, Jack Pirtle’s Chicken, Central BBQ, Grecian Gourmet and Carrington’s Catering are the restaurants that will be sampling their fare.
“We support Farm Fest because we want to help take care of the Memphis Farmers Market. We believe in their mission to support local farmers, vendors and artisans,” said Ben Brock, owner of Char Restaurant. “And we are
grateful for the Saturday morning experience the market gives Memphis. We want it to be around for a long time.”
Live music will be from The Three Kings, and tickets include two drinks, including craft cocktails from Old Dominick Distillery. There also will be a live and silent auction.
Tickets are $50 each. For more information visit memphisfarmersmarket.org.
Saucy Chicken opens in Crosstown Concourse
Saucy Chicken, a fast-casual restaurant offering traditional Southern cuisine, is the latest addition to the dining offerings at Crosstown Concourse. The restaurant opened Sept. 17 in the former Mama Gaia space. On the menu are antibiotic-free chicken and dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
“Those of us who grew up below the Mason-Dixon know a thing or two about cooking up mouth-watering Southern fare,” said Shauntel Steward, Saucy Chicken restaurant manager. “Saucy Chicken’s offerings are made with love by team members who have a passion for comfort food. I’m looking forward to sharing the dishes I grew up on with our customers.”
Saucy Chicken’s name comes from the various homemade sauces the restaurant will offer to accompany its Southern-inspired dishes. Chef Celina Webb, formerly of Alchemy, created several signature sauces from scratch that will be made in-house daily. Sauces include Saucy Chicken’s signature Saucy Sauce and Crosstown Comeback, bleu cheese, honey mustard, ranch, house barbecue, spicy mustard and sweet and spicy. There are also options for tossed chicken tenders and wings, including garlic Parmesan, Buffalo, house barbecue, sweet and spicy and the signature Saucy Wing Sauce.
In addition to fried chicken, Saucy Chicken serves grilled chicken, shrimp and catfish po’boys, deli sandwiches and salads.
Hours are 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Taste of Japan
The Memphis Japan Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Memphis Botanic Garden. To offer guests a taste of Japanese cuisine, popular area food trucks and restaurants will feature Japanese and Japanese-inspired menus throughout the daylong, openair festival.
“The Memphis Japan Festival celebrates the culture and traditions of Japan,” festival director Ginger Byrn said. “Food is an important aspect of Japanese culture, and festival guests will have the opportunity to sample a variety of delicious Japanese and Japaneseinspired cuisine.”
On the menu will be such Japanese specialties as sushi, hibachi steak, chicken teriyaki, edamame, shrimp and crawfish fried rice, spring rolls, teriyaki burgers and more. Japanese beer and green tea will be some of the many beverage offerings.
The festival — held outdoors rain or shine — features special half-price admission to Memphis Botanic Garden on festival day: $5 per adult and $2.50 for children ages 2 to 12. Admission, free for Memphis Botanic Garden members and children under 2, also includes access to the outdoor exhibition “Origami in the Garden.” Parking is free.
Logan Guleff partners with Great Wolf Lodge
Ever since winning “MasterChef Junior” Season 2, 16-year-old Logan Guleff has been busy making his mark on the culinary scene. His latest endeavor is as a member of the Great Wolf Lodge Junior Chef Council.
Great Wolf Lodge’s Junior Chef Council was formed as a way to provide Great Wolf’s youngest guests with an innovative and delicious kids menu, created for kids, by kids. The seven-person Junior Chef Council worked together on developing a completely new and innovative kids menu that will be introduced this fall.
“I can’t believe Great Wolf Lodge took this huge step to provide kids with amazing food choices, made by kids, for kids,” Guleff said. “I am honored to have my name on the new menu and can’t wait to see how kids react to this cool new menu.”
Guleff’s featured dish is Macaroni and Cheese Pancakes Paired with Braised Short Rib. He describes the dish as “macaroni and cheesy goodness seared into two crispy pancakes and served with a side of Great Wolf Lodge’s famous short ribs.”
Great Wolf Resorts Inc. is North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts with 17 locations across North America. The centerpiece attraction at every Great Wolf Lodge is the massive indoor water park. Guleff ’s recipe will be served at all Great Wolf Lodge full-service restaurants.
Collierville Commissary will open ...
I had a couple folks ask, “Is the new Collierville Commissary ever going to open?” I spoke with Walker Taylor, who also owns Germantown Commissary, and he said they plan to open in midJanuary. Heavy rains last spring delayed the construction. The new barbecue restaurant will be at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Houston Levee Road. As soon as I know more, I will be sure to share it.
Contact Jennifer Chandler at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal. com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.