The first annual Memphis Caribbean Jerk Festival took place at the Water Tower Pavilion on Broad Street last Saturday. The festival featured jerk food vendors, live music and/or a deejay all day, face painting, and vendors selling clothing, jewelry, cigars, and fragrances.
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* A DeJaVu in Midtown?
Not exactly, says chef/owner Gary Williams.
The Renaissance, an event venue at 1588 Madison, is now serving Williams’ Creole fare, but it is not, says Williams, an extension of the DeJaVu brand.
The DeJaVu food truck is, however, part of the brand. Williams says the truck is ready to go and is waiting to make its debut.
“Get out the way,” he says. “We’re coming.”
• Did you read the story at Eater, “Why Kimbal Musk Is Opening a $5-And-Under Restaurant Concept”?
It was um …
“This is a park [Shelby Farms where the Kitchen will be] that’s meant for all of Memphis and the population of the city lies across the income spectrum — it’s not located in a wealthy part of town,” says Musk.
and er …
“When we look at the restaurants that serve most people in Memphis, it’s places like McDonald’s and other fast food joints,” he says.
(just like every city in America).
Those quibbles aside, what was interesting is the $5-and-under idea, which, according to the story will be tested out in Memphis at the Kitchenette.
The Kitchenette, at Shelby Farms, will be the grab-and-go off-shoot of the Kitchen.
But says a spokesperson for the Kitchen, “The articles about Kimbal’s $5 restaurant are not correct. The Kitchen at Shelby Farms Park will have a sister grab ‘n go cafe in the Visitor’s Center called Kitchenette. It will feature items on the menu that visitors can eat at the Visitors Center or they can “grab ‘n go” to the park. Sandwiches, salads, coffee, etc. The information about $5 pricing is not accurate.
“Our Next Door concept opening in Crosstown Concourse will have simple, real food at affordable prices that are in-line with casual dining restaurants such as Chilis or TGI Fridays.”
The Kitchen holds a grand opening fund-raiser on August 13th.
• Wine in grocery stores starting today. First 50 people to purchase wine at Kroger get a corkscrew.
• The Memphis Food & Wine Festival has been announced for October.
The event, to be held at the Botanic Garden, will be hosted by Jose Gutierrez and will feature Jean-Georges Vongerichten (huge!).
Cuisine will be from 28 chefs, both local and nationally known.
Tickets are $200 per person, with prices to go up to $250 September 15th.
• The Memphis Caribbean Jerk Festival is July 16th at the Water Tower Pavilion on Broad. Expect all kinds of Caribbean dishes — from jerk to veggies and more. There will also be a domino tournament.
* Why the hell not?
(I liked ’em.)