Years Behind the Scenes
When you enjoy a meal at a new restaurant or cafe, you experience the realization of many years worth of dreams and hard work. The bagel that reaches the customer’s hands comes from dozens of tweaked recipes. The smoked brisket that falls off the bone results from hours in the barbeque pit in the Memphis heat. The brick-and-mortar storefront you meander through is the by product of lots of behind-the-scenes effort.
The food and beverage industry in Memphis is unique: welcoming yet competitive, innovative yet traditional. The Memphis customer is discerning. Those who are brave and steadfast enough to enter the food and beverage space in the River City strive to exceed expectations and deliver an exceptional product that simultaneously excites and comforts.
Many Memphis food and beverage businesses have had quite the journey to arrive at the storefronts we visit today. Bain Barbeque, Feast & Graze, Lulu’s Cafe and Bakery, Kinfolk and K&B’s Smooth Nutrition are prime examples of the passion required to succeed in the food and beverage industry.
Bain Barbeque
For Bryant Bain, co-founder and Pitmaster at Bain Barbeque, barbeque is a passion that has been developing since childhood. Over the years, Bryant has returned to his love for barbeque time and time again. Bryant describes the beginnings of the Texas craft barbeque joint, “One day, I posted a picture of some food I had prepared on a local Memphis food group on Facebook. The positive response was overwhelming, and soon, people started reaching out to buy plates of my BBQ. It was an unexpected yet welcome turning point, marking the start of my business journey in 2019.”
Running a barbeque restaurant in Memphis invokes years of food history and droves of customers with well-seasoned palates for all things smoked. Bryant reflects, “Being a part of Memphis’s culinary tradition is truly special. There’s an inherent appreciation for our craft, which allows us to innovate and create in ways that might not be as readily accepted elsewhere.”
Starting and maintaining a restaurant is no small feat. For many restaurants, Bain Barbeque included, the team is the foundation of their success. Collaboration, trust and open communication have contributed significantly to the growth of Bain Barbeque. Bryant stresses the importance of the team and of doing your homework before diving into the food and beverage industry. “Understand the local food culture, the preferences, the established players and what makes Memphis unique. It’s not just about creating good food; it’s about creating food that resonates with the locals and reflects the city’s spirit.”
The Bain Barbeque team sets out each day “in pursuit of the perfect bite.” Offering Texas Twinkies - brisket, pepper jack cheese and cream cheese-stuffed pepper wrapped in bacon and smoked - and more traditional barbeque fare such as brisket and pulled pork sandwiches and bulk meat, Bryant and his team find the balance between innovation and consistency. “Our pursuit of consistency is intertwined with our commitment to continuous growth and innovation. Our goal isn’t just to maintain a static level of quality, but to persistently seek ways to better our product,” describes Bryant.
Lulu’s Cafe and Bakery
Lulu’s Cafe and Bakery, located at 3119 Poplar, began as a farmers market business operating at the Cooper Young Farmers Market on Saturdays. For three and a half years, Lulu’s sold plant-based baked goods at the farmers market. The bakery focuses on seasonally and locally sourced ingredients, contributing to its ever-evolving menu. With their unique offerings at the farmers markets, the Lulu’s team built a loyal customer base, allowing them to open their brick-and-mortar location in February of 2023.
In response to their loyal customer following, owner Don Gaines says, “Memphis is a city that shows up for you. We have a special community with other small businesses. So many other owners are willing to share information and talk shop any time.”
With such a unique product, plant-based bakery items that consistently sell out, Lulu’s tapped into a need in the food industry in Memphis. “We always strive to do our best in every aspect of the business. Whether that’s customer service or making a sandwich.”
Kinfolk
On their carefully curated Instagram page, Kinfolk’s bio reads, “Country breakfast and lunch. Voted best biscuits in Memphis by my mom.” Their feed invokes a Wes Anderson vibe and a Southern appeal. Kinfolk began in December of 2017 and has evolved over the past six years as they prepare to open their restaurant in Harbor Town Square this fall. “We went from a food hall stall to a pop-up in Comeback Coffee, and now we are opening a flagship location with wholesale, catering and retail verticals that have recently been added to the business model,” says owner and chef Cole Jeanes.
When Cole reflects on his journey to this flagship location, he offers this advice: “Continue your education even if it’s a little a day. Be a little delusional in your ideas and reach high, but make realistic goals and be disciplined and consistent to bring those alive. Be so good and humble they can’t deny you.”
Kinfolk was built on high expectations and “doing simple things well.” With consistency, talent and ideas that are a bit "delusional", Kinfolk will open the doors to their next adventure in Memphis.
K&B’s Smooth Nutrition
For K&B’s Smooth Nutrition, the start was fast, the demand was there and the goal was within reach. Founder and smoothie aficionado Sondra Kaye King launched K&B’s online in June 2022. “My goal is to bring nutrition and wellness back to the forefront. Health matters, food matters and your life matters,” says Sondra.
Sondra has learned quickly and relied on the community of fellow business owners in Memphis. “Never be afraid to become uncomfortable. Do what you love and what you’re passionate about. Have confidence in who you are and what you represent," Sondra says.
Sondra’s smoothies range from a flavorful blend of acai, blueberries and banana to collagen and protein powder-packed refreshers. Sondra has grown from working out of her kitchen to a commercial kitchen space at Memphis Kitchen Co-Op, with products for purchase throughout Memphis. “You can purchase my smoothies online or at any of my grab-and-go locations: Core Collective Broad, Sundara Wellness, Neighborhood Barre, Brwnsknyoga or CycleBar.”
Feast & Graze
Cristina McCarter is a foodpreneur to her core. From Feast & Graze's brick-and-mortar on South Main to the Craft Food and Wine Festival, Cristina's passion for all things meat, cheese and eating local is a beacon in the Memphis food community.
Since 2016, Cristina has shared her love for food with the city of Memphis. While leading visitors to Memphis' food hot spots through City Tasting Tours early in her career, Cristina knew she had more to give to the Memphis food scene. In 2019, Cristina recognized the universal love for charcuterie boards and catering opportunities and Feast & Graze was born. Cristina has reinvented her business and ideas a few times over, but her love of a good local meal has never wavered.
"We’ve built our business on resilience, passion and dedication to craft. We remain committed to serving Memphis with our unique BBQ, each plate a testament to a personal journey of overcoming and growth." - Bryant Bain