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As the snow blankets our surroundings (on its way out 🤞🏼), we hope this message finds you well. In the midst of winter’s chill, we want to extend warm wishes to each of you for a safe and cozy week ahead. The beauty of snowfall may have brought its own set of challenges, but we hope it also created a serene atmosphere for reflection and resilience. May your team find comfort and camaraderie in facing the elements together. Here’s to a week filled with productivity, warmth, and the shared joy of overcoming winter’s embrace.

❄️

With love,

The Memphis Restaurant Association

In the face of challenges this past week, our restaurant community has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Confronted with a power grid scare and a boil water advisory, each day presented new obstacles. Despite these adversities, we want to extend our gratitude to everyone who has reached out to the Association with questions or concerns. This week has tested us, but we hope it has also brought us closer together as a united business community. It’s heartening to witness the support and encouragement on social media from Memphians, reminding each other to rally behind small businesses as we look forward to a return to normalcy in the coming week. Wishing everyone a smoother conclusion to January, and let’s continue to support each other in the face of challenges.

Quick digest of our newsletter:

• Food Festival info – LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY! BUY TICKETS!

• Food Festival sponsors

• Submit your remarks for each award winner

• Day on the Hill – Nashville Next Week

• Save the dates for upcoming events in 2024

Less than 2 weeks away!

Tickets and sponsorships still available!

We’re gearing up for the ultimate feast at the Food Festival and Awards on February 4 at the stunning Kent venue, and we want YOU to be a part of the gastronomic magic!

🌐 Sponsors:

If you’re passionate about supporting community events and crave the opportunity to showcase your brand to a diverse audience, we have sponsorship opportunities waiting for you! Elevate your presence and be a key player in making this festival unforgettable.

This is our flyer with sponsorship levels.

Sign up to be a sponsor and also view the levels here.

Contact us with any questions.

🍔🍰 Food & Beverage Vendors – closed

We are closing off food and beverage vendors for now due to the overwhelming response we got. .

Food Festival $5000 Sponsor

🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖

Thank you to these $5000 sponsors:

• Sysco | Website | Facebook | Instagram

If we inadvertently left you off this list please accept our apologies and let us know!

Food Festival $3000 Sponsor

🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖

Thank you to these $3000 sponsors:

• US Foods | Website | Facebook | Instagram

If we inadvertently left you off this list please accept our apologies and let us know!

Food Festival $1000 Sponsors

🎖

Thank you to these $1000 sponsors:

• Huey’s | Website | Facebook | Instagram

• OnePOS (previously Everything But the Food) | Website | Facebook | Instagram

• Society Insurance | Website | Facebook | Instagram

• Uber Eats | Website | Facebook | Instagram

If we inadvertently left you off this list please accept our apologies and let us know!

Food Festival Food Booths

🍗🍦

Enjoy food from:

1. Amerigo & Char | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

2. Blind Bear | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

3. Chicken Salad Chick | Website | Facebook | Instagram

4. Corky’s BBQ | Website | Facebook | Instagram

5. Eat at Eric’s | Website | Facebook | Instagram

6. Huey’s | Website | Facebook | Instagram

7. Jim’s Place Grille | Website | Facebook | Instagram

8. Kaye’s Pints & Scoops | Website | Facebook | Instagram

9. Memphis Chess Club | Website | Facebook | Instagram

10. Patrick’s Neighborhood Bar & Patio | Website | Facebook | Instagram

11. The Pocket/Tailor’s Union | Website | Facebook | Instagram

12. Prairie Farms Moo Truck | Website | Facebook | Instagram

13. Phillip Ashley Chocolates | Website | Facebook | Instagram

14. Silky O’Sullivan’s | Website | Facebook | Instagram

15. Wolf River Brisket | Website | Facebook | Instagram

If we inadvertently left you off this list please accept our apologies and let us know!

Food Festival Drink Booths

🍺🍷

Enjoy drinks from:

1. Community Coffee | Website | Facebook | Instagram

2. Crosstown Brewing Company | Website | Facebook | Instagram

3. Ghost River Brewing | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

4. Hampline | Website | Facebook | Instagram

5. High Cotton | Website | Facebook | Instagram

6. Memphis Wine Society | Website | Facebook | Instagram

7. Old Dominick | Website | Facebook | Instagram

8. Old Dominick station #2 Sponsored by Society Insurance | Website | Facebook | Instagram

9. Red Bull | Website | Facebook | Instagram

10. TN Crown & Blue Note Bourbon | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

11. Vice & Virtue Coffee | Website | Facebook | Instagram

12. Wiseacre | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

If we inadvertently left you off this list please accept our apologies and let us know!

Your Food Festival 2024 Award Winners

🏆✨

It is with immense excitement and pride that we announce the distinguished winners of the 2024 Memphis Restaurant Association Awards. This year, our culinary community witnessed exceptional talent and unwavering dedication, making the task of selecting honorees truly inspiring. These awards represent a celebration of the outstanding contributions made by individuals and establishments that have elevated the Memphis restaurant community. Join us in applauding the excellence and innovation demonstrated by our three deserving award winners.

Es con inmensa emoción y orgullo que anunciamos a los distinguidos ganadores de los Premios de la Asociación de Restaurantes de Memphis 2024. Este año, nuestra comunidad culinaria fue testigo de un talento excepcional y una dedicación inquebrantable, haciendo que la tarea de seleccionar a los homenajeados sea verdaderamente inspiradora. Estos premios representan una celebración de las destacadas contribuciones realizadas por individuos y establecimientos que han elevado la comunidad de restaurantes de Memphis. Únanse a nosotros para aplaudir la excelencia e innovación demostradas por nuestros tres merecidos ganadores.

We will be releasing a full bio on our winners shortly.

• Marco Puerto – Restaurateur of the Year To record a message about Marco click here.

• AJ Jones – Associate of the Year To record a message about AJ click here.

• Jennifer Biggs – Lifetime Achievement To record a memory of Jennifer click here.

Social Media

Catch up on all the details about our food festival.

Check out our social media to catch up on all the details on our food festival.

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Dress code here

• All previous winners here

Tennessee Day on the Hill on

January 30th

Still time to sign up and join!

Join representatives from our board for Tennessee Day on the Hill in Nashville next week! Engage in discussions on legislative topics crucial to our industry and business. Connect with elected officials and fellow restaurateurs from across the state. Don’t miss out – sign up now at the link below!.

Patrick Accounting Podcast in Partnership With MRA

The Restaurant Grind Podcast

We love the restauranteur story – each one is different, but they have one thing in common: that grit & grind attitude to push through when things get tough. Join JD & Matt as they here a new story each week and tackle modern day struggles faced by restaurant owners today.

Associate Coffee Club

Associate and Vendor Members,

This event is for you! Network with others in the restaurant industry. We buy your cup of coffee.

Details:

Date: Thurday, February 1, 2024

Location: Eggs Up in Germantown!

Looking for restaurants to host us in May, Aug, and Nov!

Time: 8a-9a

Bring your business cards and your elevator pitch! Tell us you’re coming here.

Time to Pay Your 2024 Dues

Dear Valued Members,

As we approach the new year, we would like to remind you to ensure the continued success of our Association by renewing your membership for the year 2024. To make the process seamless, kindly log in to your account and settle your membership dues at your earliest convenience. (Thank you if you have already done so!) Your support is crucial in sustaining the vibrant community we’ve built together. Thank you for your ongoing commitment, and we look forward to another year of shared experiences and opportunities.

Best Regards,

Sally Fienup

Executive Director

Webinars

In addition to our recorded September Learning Summit,

We have a library of recorded education webinars that are free for our members.

Listen to them here.

Save the date!

National Day on the Hill

Join us April 15-17, 2024, in Washington, D.C., for our Public Affairs Conference and be part of the industry’s largest grassroots advocacy event. In addition to meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, conference attendees will hear from top political speakers and celebrate the industry at networking events.

More info is here.

If you have questions on the conference, please email pafc@restaurant.org.

Exciting Opportunity Alert!

Are you passionate about sharing knowledge and making a positive impact?

📚✨ We’re thrilled to announce that we’re on the lookout for hosts and speakers for our ongoing educational Facebook Live series!

This is a totally separate series from the Patrick Accounting Podcast above. We are excited to support and promote both.

🎙️🤝

If you have a story to tell, expertise to share, or insights that can inspire, we want YOU!

Sign up now for a 30-minute segment where our Executive Director will interview you, giving you the platform to shine and connect with our engaged audience. (Must be an MRA member to participate.)

🚀🌈

👉 Ready to be part of something amazing? Click the link below to secure your spot and be a beacon of knowledge in our educational journey! 🚀👩‍🏫

Sign Up Now by clicking this link.

Let’s ignite curiosity, spark conversations, and empower each other through the magic of education! 🌐🔥

Save the Date – Tues, March 19, 2024

MRAPAC Clays Shootout

You can sign up now!

Save the Date – Wed, Oct 23, 2024

17th Annual Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament

You can sign up now!

Keep In Touch

Are you following us in all the ways below?

Check out our contact page to make sure you’re getting all our info!