Restaurateur of the Year
One of the greatest honors is to be recognized by your peers for your accomplishments.
On February 24, the Memphis Restaurant Association will honor three of its members for their hard work and dedication to the Memphis restaurant community.
The three men chosen for this year’s awards have one thing in common – each is well-respected and a leader in his field.
Patrick Reilly, chef and owner of The Majestic Grille, has been named Restaurateur of the Year. Andreas Kisler, executive chef of The Peabody Memphis, has been named Chef of the Year. And finally, Shawn Massey, partner in The Shopping Center Group, was named Associate Member of the Year.
“This is our 55th awards banquet,” explained Ernie Mellor, Memphis Restaurant Association president and owner of Hog Wild — Real Memphis Barbecue & A Moveable Feast Catering Company. “This event is important because everyone gets involved. It is a fundraiser, but more important is the turn-out of restaurant owners, their staff and our associate members. We get together to honor each other and recognize those who are making a difference in our community.”
The annual award recipients are chosen by a committee composed of past award winners.
Sally Fienup, the executive director of the Memphis Restaurant Association, further explained the importance of these awards. “The Memphis Restaurant Association chooses honorees each year not only based upon their professional or culinary accomplishments but also on the work they have done and the service they have provided to the Memphis community as a whole, including outside the restaurant industry. It is truly a joy each year to recognize those members and for us to acknowledge the time and efforts they have exerted.” “Patrick Reilly is so deserving of this award,” Fienup said. “His accomplishments as a chef and restaurateur are equally as impressive as the work he has done to champion Memphis and our community, particularly the Downtown neighborhood. A genuine advocate of our city, he never stops promoting the unique and special food culture of the Mid-south.”
A native of Dublin, Ireland, Reilly received his professional culinary education at the Dublin School of Catering and Hotel Management. Following an apprenticeship at the Guinness Headquarters in Dublin, Reilly made his mark on restaurant scenes in London, New York City, Boston, MA, and Orlando, FL before moving to Memphis in 2001. In 2006, he and his wife Deni opened The Majestic Grille.
“Patrick and Deni chose to make Memphis their home. This decision and love for the city comes to light in their restaurant and what they do in our industry,” added Mellor.
Reilly is a past president of The Memphis Restaurant Association, and past board member of Memphis Tourism. He and his wife were founding members of Memphis Downtown Dining Week. Reilly currently sits on the board of Big Green, a national nonprofit bringing interactive learning gardens to under-served children.
When asked about the award, Reilly said he was “surprised and humbled.”
As an active member and past president, Reilly feels that The Memphis Restaurant Association is an important organization for the res- See AWARDS, Page 3M
Jennifer Chandler Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK – TENNESSEE